German railway operator makes improved pay offer to train drivers

Deutsche Bahn AG made an improved wage offer to train drivers in an attempt to avert the strike.

Photo: German railway operator makes improved pay offer to train drivers

Germany's national railway operator said in a statement that it made a "significantly improved offer" to the GDL union, but said both sides had agreed to keep the details confidential.

GDL spokesman Maik Brandenburger confirmed that a new offer had been made, but also gave no details. He said union leaders planned to consider the offer Monday, and the union would not stage strikes before then.

GDL has rejected a 4.5-percent raise to which Deutsche Bahn agreed earlier this year with two rival unions, which represent a broader range of railway workers. It has been insisting on a deal independent of other railway workers and a "double-digit" raise for drivers.

Following a series of smaller, limited strikes including a 62-hour stoppage in freight and passenger traffic last week the union had threatened an open-ended strike unless it got a new offer.