This week to clarify whether DB drivers will strike in March

Trains in Germany may be disrupted by industrial action in March, depending on the outcome of important Deutsche Bahn and GDL negotiations this week.

DB and GDL in negotiations

The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) is currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with Deutsche Bahn on behalf of around 10.000 train drivers. 

The union and the national rail company have been in discussion since the beginning of January and are now entering the fifth round of negotiations. The process of negotiating new collective bargaining agreements typically includes “peace obligation periods”, during which unions agree to withhold from calling workers to strike.

The peace obligation period between the GDL and Deutsche Bahn is set to end on February 27, which means the pressure is on to reach an agreement. If an agreement is not reached, the GDL is likely to call on train drivers to strike in early March.

The last time Deutsche Bahn and the GDL finalised a new collective bargaining agreement without unfruitful negotiations leading to strike action was 2018.

What is the GDL demanding on train drivers’ behalf?

The GDL entered negotiations demanding that Deutsche Bahn give employees an 8 percent pay rise. 3,8 percent of the increase would be given as a pay rise, but the GDL is also demanding Deutsche Bahn restructure the collective bargaining system, e.g. by introducing a new pay scale.

Two weeks ago, Deutsche Bahn made their first offer: a 3,8 percent pay rise staggered in two stages. According to a report by Tagesschau, promised adjustments to the pay scale would also increase salaries by 2,2 percent. Deutsche Bahn is also offering employees a one-off 400 euro payment.

Deutsche Bahn is pushing for the collective bargaining agreement to be in place for 30 months, while the GDL is demanding it apply for 12 months, which is the typical length. By the end of Friday, we should know whether train drivers plan to strike in March.