Despite a 35-hour week
Deutsche Bahn does not expect a shortage of train drivers
May 21, 2024, 10:09 a.m
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After months of negotiations and numerous strikes, Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers’ union GDL agree on a 35-hour week. Railway board member Seiler allays fears that there will be a staff shortage in the future.
Despite the 35-hour week agreed with the train drivers’ union GDL, Deutsche Bahn does not expect any shortage of train drivers in the future. Deutsche Bahn’s human resources director Martin Seiler told the business magazine “Capital” that Deutsche Bahn assumes that there will be just as many employees who want to work more as those who want to work less.
“It will balance out.” If this happens as expected, the railway will have capacity under control, continued Seiler. He based his optimism on his experience with the tried-and-tested vacation model, in which rail employees can choose between zero, six or twelve additional days of vacation – with corresponding wage reductions.
The three options would be used equally by the employees. Shortly before Easter, after months of dispute and numerous strikes, Deutsche Bahn and GDL agreed on an optional model for working hours. The DB must now expand the working hours in at least 18 companies to 35 to 40 hours by 2029.
Those who work more also earn more. Seiler told “Capital” that he sees the compromise as a model for the future. “We also want to strengthen such flexible models in other areas.” It is important that “people can work more flexibly”.