Commencement of the second round of salary negotiations with the railways - Commencement of Round Two for Ticket Price Reductions at the Railways
The upcoming wage talks at the German Railway are just around the corner. From February 4th to the 5th, both sides will be face to face in Berlin. This time, it's not just about money for the EVG union. Over 192,000 workers are looking forward to the second round of negotiations. The meetings will span two days, with Tuesday starting at 9 a.m.
Agreement isn't expected in this round. Passengers can breathe easy, as a peace obligation is in effect until the end of March, keeping strikes at bay.
The EVG is on a mission to secure a 7.6% pay raise and additional benefits for shift workers. Part of these benefits can be exchanged for extra days off. Given the railway's current economic crisis, the union also wants job security until 2027.
Employers are proposing a gradual increase of 4%, accompanied by the shift workers' additional bonus, which was initially demanded in the first round. The term for this offer is 37 months.
The two sides are still at odds. The union's demands are significantly higher than the employers' offer.
(Enrichment Data)The current scenario regarding the wage negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the EVG for roughly 192,000 employees is as follows:
Key Points:1. Negotiation Timeline: - The impending federal elections on February 23, 2025, have brought the current collective bargaining agreement's expiration date forward from March 31, 2025, to avoid political uncertainty.
- Demands:
- EVG Demands:
- A 7.6% wage increase for all employees.
- Job security guarantees lasting until at least the end of 2027.
- Additional perks for shift workers, including the option to exchange wage increases for extra time off.
- Offers:
- Deutsche Bahn’s Initial Offer:
- A 4% wage increase distributed over two years, with an additional 2.6% for shift workers commencing in 2027.
- A 37-month contract term from late April 2028 to 2028, aimed at providing stability during restructuring.
- Current Status:
- The first round of negotiations concluded without an agreement, with the EVG deeming the offer inadequate.
- The next rounds of talks are scheduled for February 4th and 5th in Berlin.
- Both parties are dedicated to constructive dialogue, but the EVG has warned that a strike remains a last resort if key demands are not met.
- Political Uncertainty:
- The upcoming federal election on February 23, 2025, raises another layer of uncertainty, with some political parties advocating for privatization or breaking up Deutsche Bahn, a proposition the EVG vehemently opposes.
- Impact on Passengers:
- If no agreement is reached by the end of March, there's a high chance of strikes, potentially disrupting rail services across Germany.
The EVG union is determined to address the issue of dismissal during the wage talks, seeking job security until 2027 for the over 192,000 workers.If the wage negotiations fail to yield an agreement by the end of March, strikes could lead to dismissals, causing further disruption for passengers.
