Collective bargaining agreement with the GDL

The collective bargaining agreement between DB Group and the German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) in February 2026 provides planning certainty for employees and DB Group. It includes an increase in salaries by a total of 5% in two stages. There will also be further adjustments to the remuneration structure with an individual impact. For example, this includes the introduction of a new, eighth pay grade and targeted increases in salary and extra pay for operational employees. In addition, employees will receive a one-off payment of € 700.

The new collective bargaining agreement will be in effect for 24 months, followed by a three-month negotiation phase with a no-strike clause through March 31, 2028.

The compromises reached regarding the joint implementation of the Collective Bargaining Unity Act also contributed to the swift resolution with the GDL. In addition to a notarial vote-counting procedure to determine the majority, it was stipulated that certain obligations arising from collective bargaining agreements would in the future also apply to trade union members who work at companies where the collective bargaining agreement of the other trade union primarily applies. An arbitration agreement will remain in effect until the end of 2030. The scope of the GDL collective bargaining agreements will not be extended to the infrastructure.