The German chemical industry is suffering from the continuous rail strikes, according to branch organisation VCI. The organisation’s director states that the industry cannot afford more strikes, and calls for labour union GDL and Deutsche Bahn to come to an agreement.

“We simply cannot afford another standstill of the railways,” says head of VCI Wolgang Große Entrup. “Such actions will be even more taxing on the stagnating German economy.” VCI calls upon GDL and Deutsche Bahn to come to an agreement soon so that the strikes can stop. The strikes have turned out to be a major challenge for the logistical sector. “The limitations and delays in rail logistics as a result of the strikes are difficult to compensate for,” says Große Entrup.

Rail workers organised multiple strikes this year, primarily to enforce a 35-hour work week. In the morning of 12 March, rail workers started yet another strike that will last for 24 hours. Deutsche Bahn attempted to prevent the strike from happening and launched a lawsuit, but the German court ruled against DB.

The German railways are logistically important for the country’s industries. It facilitates the supply of resources as well as the transportation of intermediate and finished goods. As per 2022, the chemical industry in Germany transports an average of 155,000 tonnes of chemicals on a daily basis, of which 23,000 are transported via rail.

Also read:

• DB’s third attempt to take GDL to court fails
• GDL to stage 24-hour strike starting tonight
• More GDL strikes will come, but no date has been set yet