Entire transport industry in sight: Union threatens "heated" conflict with the railways

Travelers have been complaining about unbearable conditions at Deutsche Bahn for months.

Entire transport industry in sight: Union threatens "heated" conflict with the railways

Travelers have been complaining about unbearable conditions at Deutsche Bahn for months. In the spring, there could be a violent wage conflict in addition to the group's previous problems. The head of the EVG union reports that the employees have "huge" expectations, who "are no longer willing to make sacrifices".

The Deutsche Bahn and other transport companies face difficult wage negotiations this winter. "The expectations among colleagues are huge: At least one inflation adjustment is needed - with permanent increases in the tables," said the new head of the railway and transport union (EVG), Martin Burkert. The EVG has not yet specified an exact requirement.

A member survey of the EVG started yesterday. At the negotiations starting in Frankfurt in February, the union boss wants to quickly gain clarity and, in the event of a labor dispute, want to work with another union that is also important for public infrastructure. Burkert said: "Since Verdi is also negotiating for the public sector at the same time, I can very well imagine coordinated forms of action. Instead of a hot autumn, we could experience a hot spring." Burkert said that with the previous wage agreement during the Corona crisis, people exercised restraint and assumed responsibility. "There is now no willingness to do without."

Burkert, who was elected EVG chairman in October, announced that the union would take joint action in many transport companies. "In February we will gather the largest wage commission of all time in Fulda, with colleagues from more than 50 companies. Deutsche Bahn is only one of them."

In the past, the EVG has repeatedly criticized the tense personnel situation at DB and called for more new hires, which would then have to be retained in the company. Burkert warned the employer to do the same with higher salaries: "The railways must also see that their jobs remain attractive. If we end up just above the minimum wage in areas such as cleaning or green maintenance with an increase, nobody need be surprised, that people quit and go to Aldi or Lidl."