Rail Disupute in Germany Ends, Collective Bargaining Agreement Reached
After five months of negotiations over wages and working hours, the German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) and rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, have reached a new collective bargaining agreement.
Some details of the agreement include work week hours being reduced from 38 hours to 35 without pay cuts. The work hours will slowly be reduced to 35 hours a week by 2029. However, workers will have the option to work anywhere from 35 to 40 hours a week, those who work longer will receive more pay.
Additionally, the agreement includes an increase in pay by 420 euros ($455) per month in two stages and a one time payment of 2,850 euros ($3,086) to compensate for inflation, AP News reports.
This agreement comes after a variety of walkouts over the last few months. The most recent one occurred on March 12th this year; a 24-hour strike.
Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach See February Volumes Rise
In February the Port of Los Angeles saw cargo volume increase 60% year over year, with a total of 781,434 TEUs processed.
“Market confidence in our gateway is as strong as it’s ever been,” says Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka at a media briefing, “the Port of Los Angeles is well-positioned as we move into the second quarter,” Seroka stated.
Additionally, loaded exports in February at the Port came in at 132,755 TEUs, an increase of 61% from February last year, according to the Port.
Some shippers have been considering shifting some of their cargo to the U.S. West Coast due to the challenges of the drought restrictions of the Panama Canal, Suez Canal still posing a risk, and ongoing ILA labor contract negotiations.