Martin Burkert, the chairman of the rail union EVG, has withdrawn the threat of striking public transportation services starting in January. He told newspapers from the Funke media group that he was glad they would not have to take the most extreme measures and shut down operations, following developments regarding a new draft law from the Ministry of Justice.
This new legislation is designed to impose tougher punishments on people who attack railway employees. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) is currently planning a law that will provide special protection for train conductors, as well as police officers, bailiffs, firefighters, emergency responders, medical personnel, and employees of other public passenger transport companies. Under the proposed law, anyone who attacks these workers could face a prison sentence of at least six months, rising to a minimum of one year in particularly severe cases. Previously, attackers faced punishments of at least three or six months, respectively.
The call for government action from the EVG began at the end of August, after a train conductor was killed by an aggressive passenger during a ticket check earlier this year. At that time, Burkert had threatened a strike if the government did not intervene. Now, he stated that their pressure appears to be yielding results and that action is finally being taken. The union chief emphasized that it is unacceptable for violence to be normalized among railway workers, adding that they should not have to wonder if they will return home safely at the start of their shift.
