Host Nation Update, March. 4, 2024
Rail strike from Thursday: GDL boss announces 35-hour strike.
GDL boss Weselsky has announced new rail strikes: Strikes in freight traffic will start on Wednesday at 6 p.m., followed by passenger traffic from Thursday at 2 a.m.
The train drivers’ union GDL has announced new strikes: Initially, strikes will be held in freight traffic starting on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Strikes in passenger traffic will then follow from Thursday at 2 a.m. Weselsky announced the 35-hour strike today in a press conference. After the termination of the collective bargaining between the train drivers’ union (GDL) and Deutsche Bahn last week and the end of the peace obligation, strikes are allowed again from today. The main point of contention is still the same: the union’s demand for a 35-hour week for shift workers with full wage compensation. Therefore, the strike will also last 35 hours. Unannounced so-called wave strikes are expected to follow afterwards.
Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing (FDP) had previously called on both sides to continue negotiations. Initially, both parties had planned to negotiate until Sunday, but then announced the termination of talks last Thursday. According to the company, the union prematurely terminated the talks. Therefore, the next strikes could be imminent throughout Germany.
The rail strike at the end of January was ended prematurely. At that time, GDL and Deutsche Bahn had spoken of a timetable for new negotiations and a “constructive atmosphere”. No rail strikes demanded during Easter holidays In the “Bild am Sonntag”, Wissing had warned of great damage to the economy due to the renewed strikes – due to supply shortages and disrupted supply chains in the industry. In addition, the Easter holidays are approaching. Therefore, there is a warning from the Union faction to refrain from strikes around the holidays.
The collective bargaining began in early November. However, hardly any negotiations took place until the end of January, but there were several strikes. (SWR Aktuell, 4 March)
Ver.di calls for warning strike by Lufthansa ground staff at the end of the week
The next ver.di warning strike at Lufthansa is imminent: the union has called on ground staff to strike on Thursday and Friday. Passengers must be prepared for restrictions and cancellations. It is to begin in the passenger-related areas at 4 a.m. on Thursday and end at 7:10 a.m. on Saturday. With the warning strike, the service union wants to increase the pressure on Lufthansa before the planned fifth round of collective bargaining on March 13 and 14. (ARD Tagesschau, 4 March)
Sindelfingen: The day with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz
At 9 o’clock, things are still relatively quiet in Sindelfingen. It’s not going to be an ordinary day in Sindelfingen. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced his visit. First, he visits the Gottlieb-Daimler-Schule 1, then he heads over to the Mercedes-Benz plant to tour Factory 56. After that, he will have a discussion with Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and Ergun Lümali, the works council chairman. At 9 o’clock, traffic was still passing the school as usual, but police officers with patrol cars were already positioning themselves. Emergency personnel also gather in the parking lot of the town hall. Police horses are in their mobile stables. Heavy equipment is on standby just in case. More and more police cars are arriving. Meanwhile, the guests have been checked in at the school. IDs have been verified.
The Ludwigsburg Police Department deploys a drone at Gottlieb-Daimler-Schule shortly after 10 o’clock to monitor the situation.
At 10:08, Olaf Scholz arrives at the school, and by 10:15, the Federal Chancellor is already in conversation with students from Gottlieb-Daimler-Schule 1. After a musical welcome by the school band, Scholz watches the students’ presentations: The students have worked on various EU topics. Why is migration important in the EU? Why is migration an opportunity? At other stations, topics include the Transrapid, training opportunities in the EU, the issue of antisemitism, and the Erasmus+ project, a program for studying abroad and school exchanges. Meanwhile, preparations are underway at the Mercedes plant for Olaf Scholz’s next stop, where he will tour Factory 56 today: 10:45 AM, animal bag checks at the Mercedes plant. All clear.
“Olaf, we love you!” 10:54 AM: At Gottlieb-Daimler-Schule 1, Olaf Scholz reaches the auditorium and is greeted with standing ovations. In the auditorium, students now ask him questions on various topics. First, they discuss former US President Donald Trump and his difficult relationship with NATO. On the way across the schoolyard to the auditorium, students shouted to the chancellor, “Olaf, we love you!” (SZBZ, Peter Maier 4 March 2024)
Böblingen: Over 50 exhibitors at the 25th Real Estate Fair by Röhm Medien in the Congress Hall
Over 50 exhibitors present themselves at 30 stands at the 25th edition of the Real Estate Fair, organized by Röhm Medien and SZ/BZ in the Böblingen Congress Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Böblingen. The fair’s offer is rounded off by eight expert lectures. “We are proud that this fair has developed into the regional leading fair for building and living over 25 years,” said Hans-Jörg Zürn, Special Projects Publishing Director at Röhm Medien, who opened the event on Saturday morning together with Lord Mayor Dr. Stefan Belz. Buy, build, finance
Whether buying, building, renting, or financing: There are the right conversation partners for all aspects of living at the Real Estate Fair, says Elfi Schenker, responsible for the real estate market at SZ/BZ and acting as a contact person for exhibitors at the Real Estate Fair: “There is no comparable fair in the region with so much expertise. We are proud of that.”
The significance of the SZ/BZ Real Estate Fair in the industry can be seen in the exhibitors who have been participating for the 25th time, including Immobilien Service Bärbel Bahr, Kimmerle & Jauch Immobilien, Vereinigte Volksbanken eG, Böblinger Baugesellschaft (BGG), and Kreissparkasse Böblingen. “You can’t ignore the SZ/BZ Real Estate Fair if you’re active in the real estate industry,” says Managing Director Witgar Jauch.
The 25th SZ/BZ Real Estate Fair is open on Saturday until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Böblingen Congress Hall. Further information at https://www.messenbb.de/messen/immobilien-messe-boeblingen/ (SZBZ Matthias Staber 2 March 2024)