Germany’s EVG rail union has threatened nationwide strikes in regional passenger services from January unless lawmakers pass legislation this year toughening penalties for assaults on train staff. Union chief Martin Burkert demanded that the bill reach parliament before year-end, warning that employees would refuse to approve shift rosters if the measure stalls.
The dispute centres on the fatal February attack on train attendant Serkan Çalar, who was killed aboard a regional express; the passenger responsible was sentenced to ten years for bodily harm resulting in death. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger pledged intra-government talks on higher sentences, while Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig oversees a parallel bill covering emergency and medical personnel that the government had promised would be expanded to include rail workers.
Ralf Damde, head of the DB Regio works council, echoed the threat to block scheduling cooperation absent legislative action.