According to the officials from EVG union, employee pay negotiations between German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and the union representing railway workers have failed, and the prospects of more strikes are now looming over Europe’s largest economy.
The EVG was conducting wage negotiations on behalf of 180,000 workers at Deutsche Bahn.
Deutsche Bahn offered a wage increase of up to 12% to employees depending on their pay level and a separate payment of 2,850 euros to cushion the effect of rising inflation.
According to the union’s statement, Deutsche Bahn’s latest wage increase offer was too low. The offer also came too late and its term of 27 months was too long, EVG said.
“The board of the EVG will tomorrow decide how to proceed,” said EVG chief negotiator Kristian Loroch in a statement.
The EVG has staged strikes that caused widespread disruption this year, including nationwide action in April which paralysed much of the network. It wants a 12% wage increase, or at least an additional 650 euros per month over 12 months.
Deutsche Bahn last month offered a wage increase of up to 12% to employees depending on their pay level and a separate payment of 2,850 euros to cushion the effect of rising inflation.
The EVG is negotiating on behalf of 230,000 workers, including 180,000 at Deutsche Bahn.