The EVG railway union is demanding twelve percent more wages – and expects strikes

Deutsche Bahn

The first strikes on the railways could be imminent as early as March.

(Photo: dpa)

Fulda The railway and transport union (EVG) is demanding twelve percent more wages in this year’s railway wage round. The EVG collective bargaining committee decided on Tuesday in Fulda that the contract should be valid for twelve months. However, salaries should at least increase by 650 euros, and for trainees it should be at least 325 euros.

The union does not see much room for negotiation and is preparing for disputes. “We have no time for tariff folklore,” said negotiator Cosima Ingenschay. An offer from Deutsche Bahn is expected in the first round.

Otherwise there will be a strike, said co-negotiator Kristian Loroch: “If no offers are made, it will happen very quickly.”

Deutsche Bahn was reluctant to say that the EVG requirements were not yet available. But one thing is clear: “We need a sensible balance. It’s about recognizing the performance of our workforce and about securing the future viability of Deutsche Bahn,” said a spokesman. The group is highly indebted and, according to internal figures, is again expecting a billion-dollar loss this year.

EVG negotiator Loroch was skeptical that there would be an agreement without strikes this year: “The employers have not yet recognized what the hour has come,” he said.

Collective bargaining at Deutsche Bahn will begin at the end of February

The EVG is the largest union at Deutsche Bahn. The requirement applies not only to them, but to a total of around 50 railways. The state-owned company is considered to be the clock. The current collective agreement expires at the end of February. The first round of negotiations with Deutsche Bahn is scheduled for February 28th. Collective bargaining talks with the smaller train drivers’ union (GDL) will also start in the autumn.

The EVG requirement is based on surveys of members over the past few weeks. The Verdi services union has also raised double-digit wage demands for the public sector and the post office.

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