The planned reduction of 5,000 jobs in the freight division of Deutsche Bahn will particularly affect Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. This is reported by the “Sächsische Zeitung” and the “Leipziger Volkszeitung” following a visit by DB Cargo CEO Sigrid Nikutta to the Dresden-Friedrichstadt freight station. Details were not provided, as reported by the news agency dpa on February 24.
Unlike with the competing railway union EVG, no job security agreement has been reached with the train drivers' union GDL, said Katharina Blaumann, the site manager of the company in Halle, the largest DB Cargo location in Germany with 1,000 employees. The single wagon network needs to be reduced by a total of 1,000 positions – how many in her area is uncertain and depends on the cargo volume.
GDL Rejects Responsibility
GDL leader Mario Reiß did not want to be saddled with the blame and described the protection against dismissal as a "cover for a helpless management." If there is surplus staff in Halle today, they must relocate to Duisburg without complaint tomorrow. If the employee refuses, there is still dismissal. "GDL has not agreed to such a relocation contract in the face of repeated waves of reductions," emphasized Reiß.
DB Cargo will implement extensive restructuring program
“We are currently implementing an extensive restructuring program,” said Nikutta. To improve the situation, DB Cargo has adopted a medium-sized company structure and is aligning itself with the industries of its customers, such as steel, automotive, chemicals, and building materials. Additionally, the portfolio will be streamlined. “We are questioning which transports are sustainably profitable and adjusting the workforce accordingly,” emphasized the CEO.
