A three-day nationwide strike called by train drivers from Wednesday to Friday evening has added to travel disruption in Europe’s biggest economy, which was already reeling from ongoing farmer protests.The term "general strike" is generally catnip to the usual socialist suspects, but there's no mention in any of the sites I go to for that sort of commentary.
“It really looks increasingly like a general strike. We haven’t had a general strike in Germany since 1906,” Carsten Nickel, deputy director of research at at advisory firm Teneo, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Thursday.
“The economy minister narrowly escaped, let’s say, physical altercations with a really angry mob of protesters last weekend. Those are scenes that we haven’t seen in Germany before,” Nickel said.
The railwaymen appear to be participating in the usual sort of class struggle. The farmers, however, would like their subsidies to continue, which might fall under the rubric of rent seeking.
It is the third and largest strike by the drivers since their union took up negotiations with DB and other carriers in November last year. Germany’s GDL union is demanding a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours per week for shift workers, in addition to a pay increase of $606.62 (555 Euros) per month and a one-off inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros.Predictably, whenever people call attention to the failure of the Professional Managerial Class, whether in the United States or Germany, somebody will raise the spectre of rightist reaction. It's the failure of the Establishment all the same. "As the tractors pull up in central Berlin, it is an inauspicious start to the year for Chancellor Scholz's government and comes alongside predictions of lacklustre economic growth for a country often described as the EU's 'powerhouse'."
Rail operator DB has offered flexibility on working hours, however refused to reduce working hours without a pay cut.
The nationwide rail strikes come as German farmers vowed to ramp up their nationwide protests against the government’s planned cuts to fuel subsidies.
Since the start of the week, farmers have been blocking numerous roads and highway entrances across the country with their tractors and have also held rallies in towns and cities, causing considerable disruption to traffic.
The protests saw several hundred agricultural vehicles descend upon the German government district at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate on Monday.
But when rough men driving large machines stage a protest, you get impressive visuals. Legal Insurrection's Leslie Eastman compiled a few. In Stuttgart, zum Beispiel, sagen wir, "Ja, das ist ein Haufen Mist."
Elsewhere, a local Schnickel Fritz thought he could, non-violently of course, tow away an obstacle.
Fortunately, the halyard was weaker than his rear axle, bumper, or frame.
Good morning!
— 🇨🇦Unacceptable Canadian Girl🇨🇦 (@AreOhEssEyeEe) January 9, 2024
In case you missed it, German Farmers continue to protest and the Mainstream Media continues to make sure you're distracted.
German Farmers know how to do it right! pic.twitter.com/etVSMbYleL
Elsewhere, a local Schnickel Fritz thought he could, non-violently of course, tow away an obstacle.
A German ecology activist had enough of the farmers striking in his area and tried to tow away one of their tractors with the help of his Dacia.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 9, 2024
He failed pic.twitter.com/GYuCvD6Z6v
Fortunately, the halyard was weaker than his rear axle, bumper, or frame.
The fate of the German technocrats remains to be determined.
No comments:
Post a Comment