Deutsche Bahn and the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) have reached an agreement after days of negotiations. Details are to be presented on Friday at 11 a.m., avoiding warning strikes in the coming months. This is the first tariff round since 2018 without labor disputes.
The negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and the GDL began in January after the old collective agreement expired at the end of December. Five rounds were planned, and a peace obligation until February prevented strikes. If the agreement had not been reached this week, comprehensive warning strikes in March would have threatened major disruptions to national rail traffic.
The GDL demanded, among other things, eight percent more money for employees, with 3.8 percent through direct pay increases and the rest via changes to the tariff system. On February 10, the Bahn presented its first offer: a 3.8 percent increase in two steps, an additional 2.2 percent through system adjustments—including an extra pay grade demanded by the GDL—and a one-time payment of 400 euros. Differences existed on the duration: the Bahn wanted 30 months, the GDL only 12.
Another point of contention was the Uniform Tariff Act, which stipulates that in a company, only the collective agreements of the majority union apply. In most of the around 300 Bahn operations, this is the Railway and Transport Union (EVG). The Bahn proposed determining majorities in disputed operations with notarial assistance.
The round ended without strikes or public disputes. Only GDL leader Mario Reiß criticized the Bahn's delay tactics after the offer and threatened to break off talks, but continued negotiating. Bahn's HR board member Martin Seiler made no critical statements. This was the first tariff round under Reiß, unlike previous ones under Claus Weselsky.
