In response to rising violence against train staff, a leading German rail workers union has threatened to disrupt regional services in January unless stronger legal protections are enacted.

Amid increasing concerns over staff safety, the German Rail and Transport Union has issued an ultimatum to the federal government, demanding swift action to enhance the legal protections for train conductors and other railway employees. The union warns that it will block train service schedules across regional networks starting in January if no significant progress is made. The demands follow an alarming rise in attacks on railway staff, with statistics showing nearly 2,700 incidents reported last year – an 11% increase from the previous year.

The union’s call for action gained urgency after the tragic death of a train conductor in February, who succumbed to fatal injuries inflicted during a ticket inspection. The incident prompted Justice Ministry officials to draft changes to existing laws to expand protections for railway workers. Currently, such protections are limited to emergency services personnel like paramedics and firefighters. However, progress on the legislation has stalled, leaving union leaders frustrated and demanding immediate government intervention.

To address the safety crisis, the railway operator has introduced several measures, including equipping over 2,000 employees with voluntary body-worn cameras and hiring additional security staff. Despite these efforts, union officials argue that such steps are insufficient without stronger penalties for assaults on rail workers. The union has called on policymakers to follow through on promised reforms before the year’s end, warning of wide-scale transport disruptions if their concerns remain unaddressed.