Railway labor negotiations for salaries enter a second phase - Commencement of the subsequent railway ticket prices for journeys
Get ready for some heated negotiations at the railway company! The next round of wage talks between Deutsche Bahn (the German Railway) and the Rail and Transport Union (EVG) is happening in Berlin from Tuesday to Wednesday. With around 192,000 employees on the line, both sides will be diving into the discussion at 9:00 AM on Tuesday.
The two-day meeting isn't expected to seal a deal right away, but passengers can breathe easy with a peace obligation in effect until March end. Warning strikes are out of the question during this period.
The EVG is playing hardball, demanding a 7.6% salary boost, more money for shift workers, and job security guarantees until 2027. They also want some flexibility for shift workers to convert their wage increases into extra vacation days.
Deutsche Bahn has countered with a wage increase of up to 6.6% spread over two phases starting October 2025, plus a 2.6% bonus for shift workers. They're also proposing a 37-month contract term (until April 2028) to provide stability during their restructuring process.
Despite these offers, the union is unhappy, finding Deutsche Bahn's proposals significantly below par. This unhappiness could potentially lead to a strike if no agreement is reached by March 31, 2025. Rail passengers may face major disruptions if the negotiations stall, with an EVG demonstration in late March adding more fuel to the fire.
The timing of these negotiations is crucial, as the German federal elections are set for February 23, 2025. Any delay in reaching an agreement could lead to restructuring calls the EVG vehemently opposes.
[1] Source: DW[4] Source: Reuters
The upcoming wage negotiations between Deutsche Bahn, German Railways, and the Rail and Transport Union (EVG) are gaining attention due to the union's significant demands. [2] The EVG is pushing for a 7.6% salary increase, additional funds for shift workers, and job security guarantees until 2027, among other requests.
