After the cancellation of the warning strike, there is movement in the collective bargaining conflict at Deutsche Bahn: the group and the EVG union have agreed on further talks for Wednesday – initially “in a small circle”.
The railway and transport union (EVG) and Deutsche Bahn have agreed on further talks for Wednesday. The EVG had previously spoken of an invitation to speak on Tuesday. Both sides have now confirmed Wednesday as the date.
Confidentiality had been agreed on the location, the exact time and the content of the meeting, the railway said. “In a small circle” should first be prepared for the official collective bargaining round in Fulda in the coming week.
“We welcome the EVG’s willingness to negotiate, because we have to find a solution quickly,” said a spokesman for Deutsche Bahn. “The settlement in court was a joint compromise and is now the basis for entering into constructive negotiations.”
The EVG also called for constructive talks, but said: “The trickery of the employer must finally come to an end.”
Warning strike canceled at short notice
The EVG had originally called for a nationwide warning strike for this Monday and Tuesday in the ongoing wage conflict at the railways and dozens of other railway companies. After a settlement was reached between the conflicting parties on the sticking point of the minimum wage through the mediation of the Frankfurt Labor Court, the union canceled the labor dispute at the federal company at the weekend at short notice.
However, the EVG emphasized that the call for strikes for some private railway companies still applies. Only the labor dispute at Deutsche Bahn was canceled. Restrictions are also to be expected in freight transport today and tomorrow.
Train: Timetable largely adhered to
According to the railway, the trains ran largely according to plan on Monday. In long-distance traffic, around 90 percent of the regularly scheduled trains are actually on the move today. The regional and S-Bahn traffic runs largely without strike-related restrictions. On Tuesday, all trains should run again according to the usual timetable.
Already at the end of March, the EVG, together with the service union ver.di, had largely paralyzed traffic in Germany. At the end of April, EVG launched another eight-hour warning strike.
The union negotiates for around 230,000 workers. In talks with the industry, she demands, among other things, at least 650 euros more per month or twelve percent for upper income earners – for a period of twelve months. The railway wants to orientate itself towards the conclusion of the public service.