Railroad employees get more money
Only a little more money in the wallet, but secure jobs: a new collective agreement has been agreed for german railroad employees in the corona crisis. Wages and salaries at the highly indebted group will then rise by 1.5 percent at the beginning of 2022.
Until the end of the term at the end of february 2023, redundancies for operational reasons are ruled out, as the rail and transport union (EVG) and the group announced on friday. They spoke of a contribution to coping with and protecting against the corona crisis.
The railroad employs almost 215 people in germany.000 employees. In the past collective bargaining rounds, they were able to enjoy significantly higher income increases in some cases. But the corona crisis hit hard: a loss of billions of euros is expected this year.
Unlike the german locomotive workers’ union (GDL), the EVG had therefore agreed to bring forward the collective bargaining negotiations. "It’s not about wanting more. It’s about taking responsibility in difficult times," said EVG deputy chairman klaus dieter-hommel. Incomes increased moderately but steadily.
The losses due to the pandemic could thus be mitigated, the railroad announced. Chief human resources officer martin seiler said: "this gives us room to move forward on future issues."
This is how the recruitment drive is to continue. After 25.000 this year, the next two years will each see an increase of 18.000 new people to be hired. After deducting the number of employees, the workforce would grow by about 2,000 in both 2021 and 2022. The personnel issue was the red line in the collective bargaining negotiations, the EVG said. She spoke of a success.
Should there be a second wave of the epidemic with contact and exit restrictions in germany, a "corona package" will apply to employees in the future. According to the EVG, they will be able to stay at home for up to 50 days to care for children and up to 20 days to care for relatives.
A "mobilitat&" fund is also new work" with 25 million euros a year. In view of rising rents and longer commutes, employees are to be able to apply for assistance. Allowances have also been agreed for employees who train new colleagues. For the 6,000 bus employees of the railroad, wages will rise by 2.6 percent in 2021 and by 1.5 percent in 2022. They also receive a one-time payment of 1000 euros.
In return for government aid, the railroad had promised to gradually cut personnel costs by around two billion euros by 2024. After passenger numbers plummeted in march, the federal government pledged five billion euros in additional equity capital.
The previous collective bargaining agreements at the railroad company are still valid until the end of february. The german locomotive workers’ union had rejected early negotiations. It does not see sufficient justification why the staff should make a savings contribution. Hommel accused the GDL of harming the employees in this way. Seiler emphasized that the railroad is still willing to negotiate.