photo: richardhe51067 / Flickr/Germany on strike; illustrative photo
With wage negotiations underway between Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the German Railway and Transport Union (EVG), both sides are aiming for a quick resolution before Germany’s federal election. However, if talks stall, rail passengers could face major disruptions from April onward.
The current wage agreement between Deutsche Bahn and EVG is set to expire in March 2025, with negotiations initially scheduled for later in the year. However, due to the upcoming federal election on 23 February, discussions were brought forward to avoid political uncertainty that could impact DB’s future, according to Merkur.de.
Both Deutsche Bahn and EVG have expressed a strong desire to reach a swift agreement. "We want to send a clear signal for a quick solution," said DB HR Director Martin Seiler during the first round of negotiations in Frankfurt, as reported by Stern.de. While both sides want to finalize a deal before the election, the union has made it clear that a hasty compromise at any cost is off the table. The stakes are high for 192,000 Deutsche Bahn employees, whose wages and job security are on the line. According to Merkur.de, if no agreement is reached by 31 March, the risk of strikes increases significantly.
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Deutsche Bahn’s Offer: Wage Increases and Stability, but a Long-Term Agreement
In the first round of negotiations, Deutsche Bahn presented an offer that includes a wage increase of up to 6.6 percent, according to Deutsche Bahn’s official press release. The key details of the proposal include:
- 4% wage increase for all employees (split into two phases: 2% on 1 October 2025 and another 2% on 1 October 2026)
- 2.6% additional collective wage increase for shift workers from 2027, with an option to convert some of this into extra days off starting in 2028
- Job security for all employees until at least the end of 2027
- A 500-euro bonus payment for EVG members
Additionally, Deutsche Bahn is proposing a 37-month contract term (until April 2028) to provide stability during its ongoing restructuring. However, Stern.de notes that this long duration could be a sticking point for the union, which may prefer a shorter agreement to allow for earlier renegotiations if economic conditions change.
EVG's Demands: Higher Pay and Flexible Working Conditions
According to Stern.de, the EVG union has entered negotiations demanding a 7.6% pay raise—a full percentage point higher than Deutsche Bahn’s offer. Additionally, they are pushing for more flexibility for shift workers, who would have the option to convert their wage increases into additional time off. EVG negotiator Cosima Ingenschay pointed out that the union is committed to "swift and constructive negotiations," but also warned that a strike remains a last-resort option if Deutsche Bahn does not meet key demands. "A wage agreement will not be reached at any price," added EVG co-negotiator Kristian Loroch, as reported by Merkur.de. If negotiations do not progress, a potential strike could begin as early as 1 April 2025.
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Will There Be a Strike? Not Before April, but No Guarantees After That
For now, train passengers can breathe easy—there will be no immediate strikes. The current collective agreement includes a peace obligation, meaning industrial action is prohibited until 31 March 2025, as noted by Stern.de. However, if wage talks break down, rail disruptions could begin in April, potentially affecting regional, long-distance, and freight traffic across Germany. The last major Deutsche Bahn wage dispute with the GDL train drivers' union in 2023 resulted in nationwide strikes that disrupted services for days, as previously reported by RAILTARGET. While both DB and EVG have a strong incentive to finalize a deal quickly, history suggests that labor disputes in Germany’s railway sector can drag on longer than expected.
Why the Political Climate Matters
The federal election on 23 February adds another layer of uncertainty. If a new government takes power, Deutsche Bahn could face structural changes, as some political parties have long advocated for breaking up DB into separate entities, according to Stern.de. EVG pushed for early wage talks precisely to secure a deal before any major political shifts.
For Deutsche Bahn, ensuring long-term financial stability is a key priority, particularly as it undergoes restructuring. DB HR Director Martin Seiler noted that the company’s ability to "react to special situations" depends on having a stable, long-term contract in place, as stated in Deutsche Bahn’s press release. However, the EVG is wary of locking into a 37-month contract, preferring a shorter agreement that allows for earlier adjustments based on economic conditions. This disagreement on contract length could become a major hurdle in reaching a final agreement, according to Merkur.de.
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What Happens Next?
The next rounds of negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and EVG are scheduled for 4 and 5 February in Berlin, as stated in Deutsche Bahn’s press release. If no agreement is reached by the end of March, the threat of strikes will become more imminent, potentially causing significant disruptions to rail services in Germany.
For passengers and businesses relying on Deutsche Bahn, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a wage deal can be struck—or if another round of transport chaos is on the horizon.
Source: Deutsche Bahn; Merkur.de; Stern;de; RAILTARGET