Another DB offer on the table for German railway workers

Image: EVG

Deutsche Bahn has made a new proposal to labour union EVG. The offer includes, among other things, an inflation compensation. It is now up to the labour union to respond to the proposal. If the parties agree, further strike action in Germany is averted.

It is not the first proposal made by Deutsche Bahn (DB). During extensive negotiation rounds between the respective parties, proposals have been made, refused and revised. In the last round of negotiations, an agreement was reached about the minimum wage, but the inflation compensation remained on the table.

What is DB offering?

The wage increase is more detailed, structured along income groups and time periods and without a cap, which was the case in an earlier proposal. DB outlines the increase as follows:

  • 12% linear wage increase for lower incomes in two steps: 6% more from December 2023, another 6% more from August 2024
  • 10% linear wage increase for middle earners in two steps: 5% more from December 2023, another 5% more from August 2024
  • 8% linear wage increase for higher incomes in two steps: 4% more from December 2023, another 4% more from August 2024

Furthermore, it is offering an inflation compensation premium of 2,850 euros to be paid this year: “1,450 euros expected in July 2023 (just in time for the holiday season), 1,400 euros in November 2023 (just in time for Christmas)”, the company says.

Before 30 May

DB HR Director Martin Seiler commented: “We are stretching ourselves enormously. It must now be possible to conclude this. This is a more than attractive and unprecedented package for our employees. Thanks to the triad, the offer has a very strong social component, which is exactly what the union is demanding. In addition, there is already the first increase in the table this year, and the inflation compensation premium will also come in full in 2023.”

DB has asked the EVG for feedback on the new offer by Tuesday, 30 May. EVG has responded by saying that it will evaluate the offer in peace.

“We have been conducting constructive negotiations with DB AG since Tuesday. As a result, we were presented with a new, improved offer. We will now evaluate this in peace and then comment on it. The aim is to be able to continue the collective bargaining with Deutsche Bahn in the near future.”

More strikes?

The threat of another strike in Germany is now a little lower. 12 days ago a planned strike was warded off at the very last minute because DB was willing to return to the negotiation table. The EVG also seems willing to draw the negotiations to an end. However, it does not rule out industrial action:

“DB has moved because it fears another industrial dispute. If we don’t make another big step forward in the next round, the next strike is inevitable. As soon as we have carefully examined and evaluated the new offer, we will inform our colleagues.

Also read:

Author: Majorie van Leijen

Majorie van Leijen is the editor-in-chief of RailFreight.com, the online magazine for rail freight professionals.

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Another DB offer on the table for German railway workers | RailFreight.com

Another DB offer on the table for German railway workers

Image: EVG

Deutsche Bahn has made a new proposal to labour union EVG. The offer includes, among other things, an inflation compensation. It is now up to the labour union to respond to the proposal. If the parties agree, further strike action in Germany is averted.

It is not the first proposal made by Deutsche Bahn (DB). During extensive negotiation rounds between the respective parties, proposals have been made, refused and revised. In the last round of negotiations, an agreement was reached about the minimum wage, but the inflation compensation remained on the table.

What is DB offering?

The wage increase is more detailed, structured along income groups and time periods and without a cap, which was the case in an earlier proposal. DB outlines the increase as follows:

  • 12% linear wage increase for lower incomes in two steps: 6% more from December 2023, another 6% more from August 2024
  • 10% linear wage increase for middle earners in two steps: 5% more from December 2023, another 5% more from August 2024
  • 8% linear wage increase for higher incomes in two steps: 4% more from December 2023, another 4% more from August 2024

Furthermore, it is offering an inflation compensation premium of 2,850 euros to be paid this year: “1,450 euros expected in July 2023 (just in time for the holiday season), 1,400 euros in November 2023 (just in time for Christmas)”, the company says.

Before 30 May

DB HR Director Martin Seiler commented: “We are stretching ourselves enormously. It must now be possible to conclude this. This is a more than attractive and unprecedented package for our employees. Thanks to the triad, the offer has a very strong social component, which is exactly what the union is demanding. In addition, there is already the first increase in the table this year, and the inflation compensation premium will also come in full in 2023.”

DB has asked the EVG for feedback on the new offer by Tuesday, 30 May. EVG has responded by saying that it will evaluate the offer in peace.

“We have been conducting constructive negotiations with DB AG since Tuesday. As a result, we were presented with a new, improved offer. We will now evaluate this in peace and then comment on it. The aim is to be able to continue the collective bargaining with Deutsche Bahn in the near future.”

More strikes?

The threat of another strike in Germany is now a little lower. 12 days ago a planned strike was warded off at the very last minute because DB was willing to return to the negotiation table. The EVG also seems willing to draw the negotiations to an end. However, it does not rule out industrial action:

“DB has moved because it fears another industrial dispute. If we don’t make another big step forward in the next round, the next strike is inevitable. As soon as we have carefully examined and evaluated the new offer, we will inform our colleagues.

Also read:

Author: Majorie van Leijen

Majorie van Leijen is the editor-in-chief of RailFreight.com, the online magazine for rail freight professionals.

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.