Deutsche Bahn Rail Operator, EVG Union Reach Wage Agreement - Reports

Germany's state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn and railroad workers' union EVG have reached an agreement on raising workers' salaries following the massive strike on Monday, local media reported Saturday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th December, 2018) Germany's state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn and railroad workers' union EVG have reached an agreement on raising workers' salaries following the massive strike on Monday, local media reported Saturday.

According to the Bayerischer Rundfunk broadcaster, the parties agreed to increase salaries by 6.1 percent in two stages. The broadcaster noted that railroad employees would have the right to choose between a second increase of salary by 2.6 percent and additional six days of holidays from 2021. Moreover, the railroad workers will be provided with a one-time payment of 1,000 Euros (some $1,130).

On Monday, Deutsche Bahn reported about a four-hour strike organized by railroad workers in Germany to demand wage increase. The strike resulted in suspending long-distance trains.

The strike occurred after payment negotiations between Deutsche Bahn and EVG failed last Saturday. EVG was demanding a 7.5 percent salary increase for 160,000 employees, while Deutsche Bahn offered an increase of 5.1 percent distributed in two increments and a one-time payment of 500 euros ($569).