Germany: the train drivers’ union (GDL) demands a 6.5% wage increase

The three train drivers' unions - Transnet, GDBA and the GDL - presented to the Deutsche Bahn, on December 1, 2008, in Berlin, their official claims before the opening of the renegotiation of the collective agreements which expire on January 31, 2009. Bargaining together, the first two want a 10% increase whereas the GDL is more moderate than last year with 6.5%. The unions' disagreements which appeared during the 2007 strike are not gone and will influence negotiations. (Ref. 080973)
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With a 6.5% wage
increase, the GDL’s claims are much more moderate than last year’s. In 2007,
the train drivers’ union sparked off the longest and toughest conflict in the history
of the Deutsche Bahn. The GDL demanded over 30% of wage increase, and obtained
a substantial 11% increase. At the time, Transnet and GDBA, the other two rail
unions, “only” got 4.5%. Now, they are calling the tune with a 10% claim.

The “union trauma” will influence negotiations. As expected, the scars of last year’s co

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