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Railway: Agreement with train drivers in sight – no further strikes
March 16, 2024, 10:08 a.m
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The train and train drivers are negotiating with each other again – and apparently successfully. The group is promising an agreement as early as next week. Agreements with other companies also depend on an agreement.
There is movement in the wage dispute between the railways and train drivers, and an end is in sight. Both sides are negotiating again, the company said. The discussions would continue in a small circle and behind closed doors. The negotiations were intensive but constructive, it said. Bahn and GDL have already reached an agreement on many issues. According to Deutsche Bahn, both parties are confident of achieving a result next week. The GDL union is therefore refraining from further strikes for the time being.
The crux of the conflict is the GDL’s demand that shift workers in future only have to work 35 hours instead of the current 38 hours for the same money. In a moderation, the railway accepted a compromise proposal. This envisaged reducing working hours to 36 hours in two steps by 2028. The GDL refused and allowed the talks to fail.
The former Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière and Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (both CDU) mediated this phase. It is unclear whether the two will again act as moderators in this round of negotiations.
Last week the train drivers once again stopped work. It was the sixth strike in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute. The union has already concluded collective agreements with more than two dozen other railway companies that stipulate the 35-hour week. However, these are subject to the condition that the railway also agrees to such a deal. Otherwise, the existing contracts would be adjusted accordingly. GDL boss Claus Weselsky wants to prevent that.