The railway and the GDL union have now come to an agreement after tough collective bargaining and strikes.
Strikes are not yet completely ruled out, however.
Berlin - Deutsche Bahn passengers can breathe a sigh of relief: There will be no more strikes by the GDL train drivers' union for the time being.
"The Gordian knot is undone," said Human Resources Director Martin Seiler on Thursday.
The conclusion of the collective agreement also makes a contribution to reducing costs in the group.
GDL boss Claus Weselsky * spoke of a good compromise after three strikes.
The new collective agreement is to apply until October 2023.
However, the rail wage conflict will only finally come to an end when the group also comes to an agreement with the rival union EVG.
GDL: The most important points of the new collective agreement
The agreement means "a relief for millions of rail customers and also for the German economy," said Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer * (CSU).
"Now we will get back to the increasing passenger numbers as soon as possible."
Tariff increases totaling 3.3 percent and one-off payments were agreed.
As of December 1, 2021, salaries will initially increase by 1.5 percent, and then by a further 1.8 percent on March 1, 2023.
The employees receive a Corona bonus twice: depending on the pay group, 300, 400 or 600 euros this year and a uniform 400 euros next year.
GDL boss Weselsky: "The pension is safe"
The minister-presidents of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, Daniel Günther (CDU) and Stephan Weil (SPD), contributed to the solution as mediators.
You were approached by the German Association of Officials and the German Trade Union Federation *, said Weil.
Günther said: "This is a very, very good day for Germany for the mobility transition."
As part of the agreement, the GDL agreed to the planned restructuring of company pension schemes.
It is mainly based on a pension fund.
The railway also puts money aside for a supplementary pension.
However, those who are hired from 2022 will no longer receive this supplementary pension.
"The pension is safe," said Weselsky in view of the grandfathering of existing employees.
Collective bargaining: Bahn must now quickly find an agreement with the EVG
For the first time, the GDL is also concluding collective agreements for employees in workshops and administration in addition to train personnel, but not for the infrastructure.
However, the contracts only come into effect if the GDL also has the most members in the respective company.
This is indisputable only in 16 of the 300 or so railway companies.
A notarial procedure is to be used to count in 71 other establishments.
Weseslky announced to recruit more members.
In order to prevent further strikes, the railway is now seeking a speedy understanding with the Railway and Transport Union (EVG).
"I think it is possible that we will come to the relevant rules with the EVG in a timely manner," said Bahn Personnel Director Martin Seiler on Thursday.
No EVG member should be placed worse off.
EVG boss Hommel: "Prepare us for negotiations now"
EVG boss Klaus-Dieter Hommel had previously stated: "We are preparing for negotiations, but also for measures including industrial action." He also criticized the commitment of the prime ministers.
"That is a blow to the office of collective bargaining autonomy," said Hommel of the German press agency.
He also declared the "Alliance for our railways" concluded in 2020 with the federal government and the railways as a failure.
He reported this to Minister Scheuer.
The EVG is open to negotiations about a new edition.
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dpa / PB) * Merkur.de is part of IPPEN-MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Kay Nietfeld / dpa
