Fewer working hours

Transdev and GDL union reach agreement

The rail company Transdev and the train drivers' union have reached a new wage agreement.(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Ilja)

The German rail company Transdev and the train drivers' union GDL have reached a wage agreement. From March 1 and December 1, employees will each receive an increase of 210 euros, and working hours for shift workers will be gradually reduced.

From January 1, 2025, employees will still have to work 35 hours per week. "Employees who would still like to work more can do so in return for a proportionately higher salary," announced the train drivers' union GDL.

The GDL has staged several strikes at Transdev in recent weeks. The second-largest railroad company in Germany announced in a press release on Tuesday that the agreement was intended to prevent further industrial action. "In view of the economic consequences for Transdev operations and also in the interests of passengers, no further strikes could be risked," it said. However, the consequences for the industry could not yet be precisely assessed.

Train at Bremen main station(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Ilja)

Does Deutsche Bahn agree?
However, the new regulation is also subject to the proviso that Deutsche Bahn (DB) agrees to the reduction in working hours in its negotiations with the GDL. The agreement is valid until the end of June 2025 for GDL members at NordWestBahn, Transdev Hannover/Mitteldeutschland/Regio Ost, Transdev Rhein-Ruhr and Trans Regio.

The union is still negotiating new rates with Deutsche Bahn (see video above). The GDL does not intend to strike until March 3. According to both sides, a new agreement should be reached by then.