In the current wage dispute, Deutsche Bahn has proposed arbitration to the EVG trade union. This should avoid strikes during the holiday season, the group said. Previously, possible warning strikes were reported.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has proposed an arbitration procedure to the railway and transport union (EVG) in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute. “This is intended to settle the collective bargaining conflict without further strikes during the holiday season,” the group said. “A solution at the table is in the interests of employees and passengers.” Accordingly, the company asks “for a response by Friday noon”.
According to the dpa news agency, the union announced that it would examine the proposal as soon as it was received. However, the EVG initially did not comment beyond that.
Apparently discussions about warning strike
The Reuters news agency had previously reported that, according to insiders, the union was planning a 24-hour rail strike for Tuesday. However, this is not final, a decision will be made on Thursday, said a person familiar with the matter. The EVG explained that all options in the tariff dispute with the railways are currently being examined. First the “image” reported about it. EVG strike leader Frank Hauenstein told the newspaper: “We are ready to increase the pressure.”
The railway initially did not comment on this. Last week, the EVG declared negotiations with the state-owned DB company to have failed and called on its members to vote. This should take about four to five weeks, after which indefinite strikes would be possible. In the debate, there was also arbitration, which is now being sought by the railways.
Most recently, the EVG emphasized its willingness to seek external mediation in the conflict. “If the employer approaches us with a request for arbitration, we can make a quick decision,” said EVG boss Martin Burkert last week BR. A few months ago, such arbitration also led to a breakthrough in the wage dispute in the public sector.
Don’t expect a quick fix
The EVG demands 650 euros more per month for 180,000 DB employees. According to the union, the term of the collective agreement should be twelve months. In addition, some structural adjustments in the complex collective bargaining system at DB were required. Deutsche Bahn was recently willing to pay employees 200 euros more from December, and then another 200 euros more from August. In addition, the group promised an inflation compensation premium of 2,850 euros. The term of the collective agreement should be 27 months. The union rejected this package, especially the long term is considered a crucial problem on the way to a deal.
Arbitration is unlikely to result in a quick solution. First, arbitrators would have to be found. However, once one or more arbitrators have been determined, they will likely need a few days of training. The tariff system at the railways is considered to be extremely complex. There are already 140 pages of tariff text from the previous negotiations.