se of the ongoing pandemic and the decrease in passenger numbers. A shorter term would allow the union to renegotiate wages sooner, potentially leading to further financial strain for Deutsche Bahn.
The negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the railway and transport union EVG have been ongoing for several days now, with no conclusion reached so far. Both sides have presented their demands, with the EVG seeking a fixed salary increase of at least 650 euros per month or twelve percent more for the upper wage groups. Deutsche Bahn, on the other hand, has offered twelve percent more for the lower wage groups over a period of 24 months, with smaller increases for the middle and upper groups.
In addition to the wage increases, other structural issues have also been brought into the negotiations. However, the main sticking points seem to be the pay increases and the term of the collective agreement. The EVG wants a shorter term in order to be able to react quickly to future price increases, while Deutsche Bahn is seeking more planning security with a longer term.
The negotiations have now been adjourned to the following week, as the EVG wants to inform its decision-making bodies about the status of the negotiations. The exact dates for these internal consultations and the next round of negotiations have not been announced yet.
Both sides have expressed their willingness to reach an agreement, with DB HR Director Martin Seiler stating that they have reached an agreement on many issues, and EVG collective bargaining board member Kristian Loroch saying that they have worked out numerous compromise lines. However, it remains to be seen whether a conclusion can be reached in the coming days.
If no progress is made in the negotiations, the EVG has threatened to go on a warning strike, and if the negotiations fail completely, a ballot vote on indefinite strikes is also possible. The outcome of the negotiations will have significant implications for the employees at Deutsche Bahn and the future of the company.Negotiation marathon at Deutsche Bahn continues
Sunday, June 18, 12:22 p.m.: Further negotiations are pending in the collective bargaining dispute at Deutsche Bahn (DB). The representatives of DB and the railway and transport union EVG were unable to reach a conclusion for the fifth day of negotiations in a row. They adjourned further talks to the following week. The EVG first wants to inform its decision-making bodies about the status of the negotiations. Exact dates for these internal consultations and the next round of negotiations were not initially announced.
DB HR Director Martin Seiler stated that they negotiated intensively and reached an agreement on many issues. EVG collective bargaining board member Kristian Loroch mentioned that they have worked out numerous compromise lines in the past few days and now want to discuss them in detail with the responsible decision-making bodies.
The EVG aims to achieve a fixed salary increase of at least 650 euros per month or twelve percent more for the upper wage groups for a good 180,000 employees at Deutsche Bahn. According to their proposal, the term should be twelve months.
Deutsche Bahn had recently promised twelve percent more in several stages for the lower wage groups over a period of 24 months. The middle groups should get a total of ten percent more and the upper groups eight percent. The first stage of the increase should be due this year. In addition, there would be an inflation compensation premium in several payments totaling 2850 euros, which is tax and duty-free.
Both sides have also brought other structural issues into the negotiations. The major sticking points are likely to have been the pay increases and the term of the collective agreement.
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How might a longer term for the collective agreement hinder the union’s ability to react quickly to future price increases, and what planning security would it provide for Deutsche Bahn
E of the negotiations will have significant implications for both Deutsche Bahn and its employees.
The ongoing pandemic has already posed immense challenges for the railway industry, with a sharp decrease in passenger numbers and financial strain for companies like Deutsche Bahn. In this context, the issue of wage negotiations becomes even more crucial.
A shorter term for the collective agreement would allow the union to renegotiate wages sooner, potentially leading to further financial strain for Deutsche Bahn. On the other hand, a longer term would provide the company with more planning security, but could hinder the union’s ability to react quickly to future price increases.
Both sides have presented their demands, with the EVG seeking a fixed salary increase or a percentage raise for upper wage groups. Deutsche Bahn, on the other hand, has offered percentage raises for lower groups over a longer period, with smaller increases for middle and upper groups.
While both parties have expressed a willingness to reach an agreement, no conclusion has been reached so far. The negotiations have been adjourned for the time being as the EVG needs to consult its decision-making bodies before proceeding.
The outcome of these negotiations is crucial not only for the employees of Deutsche Bahn but also for the company itself. If no progress is made, the EVG has threatened to go on a warning strike, which could further disrupt railway operations. In the worst-case scenario, a ballot vote on indefinite strikes could occur if the negotiations fail completely.
In summary, the ongoing negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the EVG have significant implications for both sides. The issue of wage increases and the term of the collective agreement are the main sticking points. As the negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether a conclusion can be reached in the coming days.
