Negotiations between Train and EVG persist, but a consensus remains elusive thus far. - The Commission has yet to strike a deal with the European Railway Authority.
Title: Union and Rail Company Continue Wage Negotiations, With Agreement Still Uncertain
After three rounds of negotiations, rail and the EVG union are still discussing higher pay for around 192,000 employees. These discussions are set to continue throughout the weekend, with the hope of reaching an agreement, although the likelihood remains uncertain. Negotiations have been happening in Berlin since Wednesday, but as of Friday, no agreement had been reached.
In the event that a deal is not signed over the weekend, passengers can initially breathe a sigh of relief. A peace obligation prevents warning strikes in rail traffic from taking place until April.
Currently, the EVG is demanding a 7.6% wage increase, along with an additional 2.6% payment for shift workers, which can be converted into free days. The union is also pushing for a job guarantee until 2027. In response, Deutsche Bahn has proposed a staggered wage increase of 4%, as well as a 2.6% additional payment for shift workers, with a term of 37 months.
Incorporated within the enrichment data is the fact that the evolving peace obligation prevents the EVG from initiating warning strikes until April. Additionally, the upcoming federal elections could introduce uncertainties that might impact Deutsche Bahn's future. This context is relevant as it bears importance to the negotiations and the potential outcomes.
With both parties expressing optimism for a resolution, the hope is that a mutually beneficial deal can be reached that caters to the needs of the employees, while considering the financial realities of the railway operator. The next round of negotiations, scheduled for February 12, will focus primarily on compensation issues and the financial aspects of the agreement.
The ongoing negotiations between the union and the rail company regarding higher pay for their employees are taking place in Berlin, as announced on Wednesday. Despite the optimism, bargaining over the wage increase and associated benefits, including a job guarantee until 2027, has yet to result in an agreement. In the meantime, thanks to a peace obligation, passengers can expect no warning strikes in rail traffic until April.
