Collective bargaining at Deutsche Bahn has started a new round. Representatives of DB and the railway and transport union EVG continued their months-long talks in Berlin. Before the start of the negotiations, EVG negotiator Kristian Loroch indirectly threatened further strikes on the rails if the talks did not progress well. He referred to a high willingness to strike within the union.
DB HR Director Martin Seiler said that with a little effort in the next five days it could be possible to find a viable solution to the wage dispute. However, both spoke of some large discrepancies on the topics of salary increases, tariff structure and term.
Loroch indicated that the union would take stock of the course of the talks on Wednesday. “I’d say you always take the mountain festival, that’s in the middle of the week. Until then, I have to get a feel for whether something’s moving or not,” he said.
Collective bargaining affects 180,000 workers
The representatives of Deutsche Bahn and EVG want to negotiate a solution to the wage conflict from Monday afternoon up to and including Friday. A possible conclusion would affect the wages and salaries of a good 180,000 employees at DB. The union demands from the employers a fixed amount of at least 650 euros per month more or twelve percent for the upper wage brackets. According to their ideas, the term should be twelve months.
During negotiations at the end of May, Deutsche Bahn promised twelve percent more in several stages for the lower wage groups. The middle groups should get a total of ten percent more and the upper groups eight percent. The first stage of the increase should therefore take effect this year. In addition, there is an inflation compensation premium totaling 2,850 euros, which could be paid in two installments from July onwards, free of taxes and duties. The term should be 24 months.
