Transportation - Hamburger Hochbahn's fare conflict resolved
Employed individuals at Hamburg's Hochbahn will receive a 2.4% pay increase starting from January 2025, with a minimum of 120 Euro. In addition, they will receive an inflation adjustment bonus of 1,500 Euro this year, as announced by Hochbahn following the fifth round of negotiations. The contract will last until the end of 2025.
Hochbahn: constructive talks
"The talks were intense and constructive. On both sides, there was a willingness to reach an outcome on the negotiation table," said Hochbahn HR chief Saskia Heidenberger. This is a really good result for the employees, especially in conjunction with the springtime full tariff contract – no initial statement from the union was available.
The municipal transport company and the union Verdi agreed in March to a phased reduction of weekly working hours to 37 hours with full wage compensation by summer 2027. The vacation claim will rise from 2026 onwards to 31 days, and shift premiums have already been significantly increased.
Verdi wanted a 35-hour week initially
Initially, Verdi had entered the negotiations with the demand for a 35-hour week. To reinforce their demands, bus and U-Bahn drivers had previously staged a two-day warning strike, paralyzing public transportation at the end of February.
- The United Services Trade Union expressed concerns about the tariff conflict, affecting not only Hamburg's Skytrain but also various modes of transportation in the city, causing significant traffic disruptions.
- In response to the tariff dispute, the United Services Trade Union considered a potential strike action against Hochbahn, similar to the two-day warning strike they had previously staged to press their demands.
- Amidst the tariff conflict, some advocates suggested that Hochbahn could avoid a further strike by offering concessions, such as implementing higher shift premiums or adjusting tariffs to be more favorable to the trade unions.
- Following the settlement of the tariff conflict between Hochbahn and Verdi, there was speculation among some analysts that the United Services Trade Union might revisit their demand for a shorter workweek, potentially leading to further negotiations in the future.
