Deutsche Bahn and GDL agree wage deal to end strikes

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has reached a wage agreement with the GDL train drivers’ union, ending a nearly year-long dispute which nine strikes over the past year hitting millions of people, both sides.

The GDL union, which mostly represents train drivers but also some other railway staff, reached a deal with state-owned Deutsche Bahn that will prevent further transport chaos for Europe’s biggest economy.

Under the deal, reached after five weeks of arbitration, union members will get a 5.1 percent pay rise in two stages, 3.5 percent from July 1 and a further 1.6 percent from May 2016. There will be a reduction in overtime.