Germany: burned by the “Mainz station debacle,” the Deutsche Bahn is doing an in-depth review of staff planning in its 330 firms, with the support of its WCs

Learning from the “Mainz station debacle” (where rail traffic was seriously disturbed this summer because there were not enough employees), the German railway, Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced, on November 4, that it intended to recruit 1,700 additional employees in 2014, 1,250 with a permanent contract and 450 with a fixed-term contract.  The DB’s management, the group works council and the rail union (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft, EVG) adopted an agreement providing for recruitments as well as a series of measures designed to limit the large number of extra hours performed and days off not taken.  Three days earlier, management and EVG also agreed to improve the “collective agreement for young talents” (Nachwuchskräfte-Tarifvertrag) in order to make things better for young people training or following dual studies in the company.  (Ref.  130679)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Exhaustive review of personnel planning for 2014 with the WCs. This summer, in the middle of the holidays and a few months to the federal election, the DB experienced one of its darkest hours. For several weeks, regional trains were canceled and high-speed trains were rerouted to Mainz, the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The DB explained that 15 railroaders in charge of traffic or pointing were on holiday or sick leave. Forced to come back from his vacation, Rüdiger Grube, ch

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
EU: Council adopts position on simplifying AI rules
The Council of the EU approved its position on 13 March regarding the “omnibus regulation” proposal, published last November by the Commission to simplify the AI Act. Confirming the...
20 March 2026
Germany: menopause issues finally gain corporate recognition
With 12 million women over 40 in the labour force, German companies and occupational health professionals are beginning to adopt support policies for those affected by menopause-related issues...
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: CDC Habitat defines a framework and means for social dialogue on AI
In an agreement signed on 23 February with trade unions, the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et consignations) Habitat (10,800 employees) guarantees that AI solutions will only...
2
France: La Poste to launch negotiations for an AI agreement
Following the lead of firms such as Axa, Syensqo globally, and more recently CDC Habitat, La Poste group management will open negotiations on an AI regulation agreement during the first half of...
3
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
4
France: bioMérieux’s new disability agreement pivots towards mental health
The news. On 6 January 2026, bioMérieux—an in vitro diagnostics specialist employing 4,400 people in France—signed a new four-year agreement “relating to the employment...
5
United Kingdom: launch of consultation on protection against detriment for industrial action
The British government launched a public consultation on 26 February regarding new protections for workers against "detriment" related to industrial action, scheduled to take effect in October...
12 March 2026
6
Germany: controversial collective bargaining compliance act adopted
On 26 February, the Bundestag approved the Tariftreuegesetz (collective bargaining compliance act), aimed at strengthening collective agreements and tackling social dumping by tying certain public...
26 February 2026