Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) finally sealed the deal on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The CBA will be retroactively implemented from 1 November 2023 and will last until 31 December 2025.
One of the main bones of contention between GDL and DB is that the union wanted to progress towards a 35-hour working week by 2028. During negotiations, DB was quite open about the fact that this was not a viable option. However, GDL managed to snatch a deal that will allow train drivers to work 35 hours a week from 2029.
The 35-hour week progressive model
The progression model will work as follows: 38 hours a week for 2024 and 2025, 37 hours in 2026, 36 in 2027, 35.5 in 2028 and 35 in 2029. It needs to be mentioned that the model remain optional for employees, who will be able to choose to work between 35 and 40 hours per week. “In the first half of 2025, employees will be asked whether they want to work 37 or more hours by January 1, 2026. Those who do not report back will automatically start the 37-hour week”, DB explained.
For the following years, it will be up to the workers to communicate how many hours they wish to work. Those who decide to increase their hours will be paid 2.7 per cent more per hour. “For example, train drivers or train attendants would earn around 14 percent more in a 40-hour week than in a 35-hour week”, the company specified. In other words, salaries will not be reduced, but workers who want to work more will be compensated accordingly. Keeping the model optional, DB said, allows them to keep growing despite shortages of skilled workers.
Also read: DB vs GDL: strikes end, agreement in sight
No more strikes until February 2026
DB’s initial proposal was for 32 months, considered too long by GDL. The union was instead proposing an annual evaluation to assess the impact of the CBA. In the end, they settled for a 26-month contract. One of the conditions set out in the CBA is that, once the deal expires in December 2025, there will be a two-month negotiation phase until February 2026 during which strikes will not be allowed. Moreover, arbitration modalities, such as the introduction of moderators, will be agreed upon before negotiations begin. During this round of negotiations, which started in November 2023, moderators were called upon only at the end of January.
What else does the CBA entail?
Other than the progressive optional model for 35 weekly working hours, the CBA includes a 420 euros wage increase. Half of it will be implemented as of 1 August 2024, with the remaining 210 euros entering the workers’ paychecks from 1 April 2025. Finally, GDL members affiliated with DB will get 2,850 euros in inflation compensation. A first tranche of 1,500 euros will be paid out in March, while 1,350 euros will be transferred in May. The vacation model will also change as the ‘12 more holiday’ plan will be discarded. On the other hand, the ‘six more holiday’ initiative will remain in place. This model allows employees to take six extra days off per year by working one additional hour every week. GDL has organised a press conference for today, Tuesday 26 March, at 11:30 in Berlin to provide further information.
Also read:
- How has the German chemical industry dealt with rail strikes?
- DB’s third attempt to take GDL to court fails
