Germany: GDL union signs federal framework agreement for rail freight train drivers

Wages in line with the Deutsche Bahn’s.  “On March 16th, the GDL adopted with private freight rail companies, without a single strike, the federal framework agreement for train drivers (BURA-LfTV)” the corporatist union rejoiced in a communiqué.  The union should be satisfied, because the agreement signed by 3 private rail freight companies (Assoft-Railmer, MEV Eisenbahnverkehrsgesellschaft and SBB Cargo Deutschland) includes all its claims.  In the future, the basic pay for about 550 train drivers employed in rail freight will be 2% higher than that paid by the Deutsche Bahn (DB).  It will amount to €2,341-€2,831 a month depending on professional experience.  Meantime, the workweek will go from 40 to 39 hours.  Bonuses for night work, work on Sundays or holidays will be in line with the DB’s scales.  The framework agreement also provide, as the GDL hoped, for uniform training standards and better care for drivers subject to trauma after a severe accident.  Saying that the agreement was “decent,” a spokesman for SBB Cargo Deutschland, German subsidiary of the SBB Swiss rail company, said that it now had to be materialized in a company agreement.  This agreement will help avoid “competition over train drivers” the GDL union said, asking for the signature of a sectoral collective agreement for all 26,000 train drivers in Germany (see our dispatch No.  110154).
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

s or holidays will be in line with the DB’s scales. The framework agreement also provide, as the GDL hoped, for uniform training standards and better care for drivers subject to trauma after a severe accident. Saying that the agreement was “decent,” a spokesman for SBB Cargo Deutschland, German subsidiary of the SBB Swiss rail company, said that it now had to be materialized in a company agreement. This agreement will help avoid “competition over train drivers” the GDL union said, asking for

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
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...