FRANKFURT: German rail operator Deutsche Bahn announced on Tuesday that it had reached an agreement with the GDL union to shorten train drivers’ working week, ending a months-long row that led to strikes across the country.
Deutsche Bahn’s Human Resources Director, Martin Seiler, stated at a media conference in Berlin that it was a challenging journey, but in the end, they were able to reach an intelligent compromise.
Starting from 2026, the standard working week will be gradually reduced from thirty-eight to thirty-five hours by 2029, with full salary, as reported by AFP.
However, drivers will have the option to work more, up to forty hours per week, at a 2.7% higher pay rate for each additional hour.
Seiler mentioned that their colleagues can choose the weekly working hours that best suit their lifestyle, emphasizing it as a “modern” solution bringing flexibility to the profession, especially during a time when Germany is facing a skilled labor shortage.
Wage hike to compensate for inflation in Germany
As part of the agreement, workers will also receive a wage hike of 420 euros (455 dollars) per month in two stages, along with a one-time payment of 2,850 euros to offset inflation.
