Crisis management
Thanks to our crisis management and the commitment of our employees, we were able to maintain mobility across Germany even during the Covid-19 crisis. The crisis management began in January 2020 in a task force under the control of the health management. In February 2020, work continued in a Group-wide pandemic crisis team convened by the member of the Management Board for Human Resources and Legal Affairs. Thanks to these efforts, over the following months we were able to implement the requirements of the authorities quickly and in a structured manner for both customers and employees, and develop and communicate effective hygiene and safety plans, all while ensuring railway operations continued to run smoothly across Germany.
“Together against Covid-19” agreement
At the end of March 2020, we concluded an agreement, “Together against Covid-19,” with the Railway and Transport Workers Union (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft; EVG) and the German Train Drivers’ Union (Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer; GDL) for the integrated rail system. This agreement is intended to provide widespread support for parents grappling with the closure of kindergartens and schools and a commitment to secure jobs. The aim is to protect the health of employees, their families and our customers while maintaining railway operations to ensure the stability of transport services in Germany. The agreement is temporary until July 31, 2020.
Alliance for Our Railway
In May 2020, we signed the “Alliance for Our Railway” together with the German Transport Minister, the EVG, the Group Works Council and the Employers’ Association of Mobility and Transport Service Providers (Arbeitgeber- und Wirtschaftsverband der Mobilitäts- und Verkehrsdienstleister; Agv MoVe). The aim is to manage the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic within DB Group in such a way that we can continue to pursue the Strong Rail strategy. All parties involved have undertaken to be part of a joint, mutually supportive solution. This alliance is subject to the condition that the tariff partners (DB Group, Agv MoVe and the EVG) agree on a joint, viable solution to counteract the consequences of the pandemic.
Production of disinfectant
Since the end of March 2020, we have been producing disinfectant ourselves and are manufacturing about 1,600 liters a day. This is designed to meet the needs of DB employees on trains, at stations and at other facilities.