Deutsche Bahn and the union are negotiating – no strike – economy –

According to the statement, negotiations are taking place behind closed doors. It was agreed not to reveal the future status of the negotiations. The core of the negotiations recently was the dispute over reducing working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours per week, as requested by GDL, and at the same salary. The railways had previously expressed its willingness to reduce working hours to 36 hours in two steps by 2028 without financial losses. However, GDL President Klaus Weselski did not accept this.

The union has already concluded collective agreements with more than twenty other railway companies stipulating that working hours should be 35 hours per week. However, these are subject to the condition that the Railways also agree to such a deal. Otherwise, existing contracts will be amended accordingly. Wezelski wants to prevent that.

The GDL has already called for industrial action six times in a collective bargaining dispute. Recently, the union resorted to the so-called wave strike, which it announced in a much shorter time than previous strikes. With the resumption of negotiations, the GDL has now committed itself to refrain from further strikes for the duration of the talks.