Title: GDL and Netinera Forge Agreement: Wage Hikes and Gradual Work Hour Reduction
Unions have the power to shape employment conditions, and recently, the Train Drivers' Union, GDL, and rail company, Netinera, have announced an agreement. This pact guarantees a pay increase and a gradual decrease in working hours for GDL members.
Beginning January 1, 2025, and extending until January 1, 2028, Netinera will progressively decrease the workweek from the current 38 hours to 35 hours. This initiative aims to make railroad professions more desirable. Claus Weselsky, GDL chair, stated, "Our members now look forward to working 35-hour weeks in the years to come."
The agreement also includes a wage boost for GDL members, with an increase of 420 euros per month, divided into two parts, by the end of 2024. Additionally, night and Sunday bonuses will undergo two incremental increases of 5% each. GDL has also agreed to enhance the remuneration for trainees, as disclosed by the union.
Netinera, a subsidiary of Trenitalia, manages regional train lines in numerous German states. Negotiations with other companies remain underway for GDL. To illustrate, talks with Deutsche Bahn (DB) have hit a roadblock, as DB has rejected the proposal for a workweek reduction from 38 to 35 hours. Dissatisfied with this response, GDL has suspended negotiations, while a member ballot is underway to establish a policy of striking more frequently and for longer periods.
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While research on GDL and Netinera negotiations yielded little specific information, there are related labor disputes to note:
- Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG) reached an agreement, although details remain unavailable. EVG originally sought a 7.6% pay increase and 2.6% additional compensation for shift workers.
- Verdi—another significant German union—demands an 8% wage boost, a minimum €350 monthly salary increase, and additional incentives such as bonus days and "Meine-Zeit-Konto" for greater employment flexibility.
- Verdi's representatives are negotiating with Deutsche Post AG, asking for a 7% salary increase and additional holiday days for their membership.
By incorporating these contextual elements, you can grasp the broader implications and labor trends in Germany, even as you concentrate on the GDL and Netinera agreement.
