Deutsche Bahn, the leading rail operator, has presented a comprehensive package for its workforce that includes a substantial 12 percent salary boost along with a one‑time payment of 2,850 euros. The package is designed to shield employees from the bite of rising inflation and to lessen the likelihood of industrial action that could disrupt services. The company communicated this plan through its press office, with coverage noted by TASS, the Russian news agency that monitors European labor matters.
The pay increase is scheduled to unfold over a two‑year period, with a clear tiered structure based on current earnings. Lower‑paid staff will receive a 12 percent rise, while workers in higher wage brackets are projected to see improvements in the 8–10 percent range. This design reflects a broader strategy to deliver immediate relief while ensuring gradual wage progression, aiming to keep morale high and productivity steady as the company invests in essential infrastructure and service reliability in a period of cost pressures across multiple sectors.
Responses from the German transport union EVG, known for its willingness to organize action when negotiations stall, have already emerged. EVG indicated it would issue a formal assessment of Deutsche Bahn’s proposal in the coming days and signaled a readiness to pause strike activity while considering the terms offered. This stance opens a window where both sides might reach a sustainable agreement that preserves workers’ purchasing power and maintains stable operations for passengers and freight.
Earlier in April, TASS again cited Deutsche Bahn’s press service in noting that the long‑distance train network in Germany faced a temporary pause in operations due to action by railway workers. The disruption underscored how fragile essential service sectors can be during disputes and highlighted the need for timely negotiations to restore full timetables and minimize traveler disruption for trips across the country.
In the first half of March, Spiegel magazine, drawing on multiple sources, reported that Deutsche Bahn had declined to provide free humanitarian cargo shipments to Ukraine within the current calendar year. This decision was situated within broader conversations about corporate social responsibility, international aid commitments, and the operational realities large transit systems face when balancing logistics, security concerns, and charitable initiatives. The coverage illustrates how national rail operators navigate political and humanitarian obligations while preserving core transportation duties for citizens and businesses.