EVG (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft)

EVG (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft)
Name	EVG (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft)
Founded	2010
Headquarters	Berlin
Affiliation	Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund, European Transport Workers' Federation
Members	~200,000
Key people	Siegfried Kauder

EVG (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft) is a German trade union representing employees in rail and transport sectors. It formed from a merger to consolidate bargaining power across regional and national operators, and it engages in collective bargaining, industrial actions, political lobbying, and international cooperation. The union participates in sectoral negotiations involving major companies and public institutions and works with European and global labor organizations.

History

Founded in 2010, the union originated from the merger of predecessor organizations active in the late 19th and 20th centuries, drawing lineage from unions involved with the Deutsche Reichsbahn, Deutsche Bundesbahn, and postwar restructuring after World War II. Over successive decades, predecessor unions negotiated with entities such as Deutsche Bahn, regional transport authorities like Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, and state governments including Bundesrepublik Deutschland administrations. The formation paralleled labor realignments seen in other sectors represented by IG Metall, ver.di, and Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer in response to privatization trends exemplified by companies like Arriva and reforms following European Union transport liberalization directives. High-profile disputes have involved employers including Deutsche Bahn, regional operators such as Metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft and incidents that attracted coverage in outlets including Der Spiegel, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, and Die Zeit.

Organization and Membership

The union's governance mirrors structures used by unions like Trade Union Congress (United Kingdom) affiliates and national confederations such as the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund. It maintains federal and regional offices in states such as Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bayern, Sachsen, and Berlin, and organizes members by occupational group across companies including Deutsche Bahn, private operators like National Express, and municipal employers such as Hamburger Hochbahn. Membership categories reflect parallels with Royal Mail-era classifications and include train drivers, maintenance staff, station personnel, and administrative employees—similarly to classifications in unions like Transport Salaried Staffs' Association. Leadership is elected by congress delegates drawn from local works councils and shop stewards reminiscent of practices in Works council (Germany) frameworks. The union engages with collective representation mechanisms established under laws such as the Betriebsverfassungsgesetz.

Collective Bargaining and Industrial Actions

Collective bargaining campaigns have targeted remuneration, working time, staffing, and safety standards, negotiating with employers such as Deutsche Bahn, RATP Group-partnered entities, and regional transport authorities. Industrial actions have included strikes affecting long-distance services like those on routes served by ICE (train) and regional services served by operators like S-Bahn Berlin. Actions have intersected with public policy debates involving figures from parties such as the CDU (Germany), SPD, Die Linke, and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and with ministerial actors including the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (Germany). Disputes often appeared alongside legal and regulatory questions involving institutions like the Federal Labour Court (Germany) and European bodies such as the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Political Positions and Affiliations

Politically, the union aligns with social-democratic and labor movements akin to historic links between Trade Union Confederation affiliates and parties such as the SPD (Germany). It lobbies parliaments including the Bundestag and engages in policy debates on infrastructure investment exemplified by projects like Digital Railway initiatives and rail electrification programs referenced alongside companies such as Siemens Mobility and Alstom. The union interacts with municipal administrations like those of Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt am Main over public transport planning, and it positions itself on issues such as privatization, deregulation, and public service obligations in ways comparable to advocacy by Public Services International member organizations. The union's political activity includes endorsements, campaign positions, and participation in consultations with institutions like the European Commission on transport policy.

Services and Activities

Services offered mirror those of large trade unions such as IG Metall and ver.di, including legal support for members in disputes with employers such as Deutsche Bahn, training programs similar to those promoted by European Trade Union Institute, and workplace safety campaigns aligned with standards from bodies like Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung. The union runs negotiation support, strike funds modeled on arrangements used by UNITE (UK) affiliates, and professional education in collaboration with institutions such as the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and vocational schools like Berufsschule systems. Public outreach and communications utilize media partnerships and engagement with outlets including ARD, ZDF, and Handelsblatt.

International Cooperation and Affiliations

The union is active in international networks, cooperating with organizations such as the European Transport Workers' Federation, International Transport Workers' Federation, and trade unions across Europe including TUC counterparts in the United Kingdom, CGT (France), CISL (Italy), and UGT (Spain). It participates in cross-border bargaining dialogues involving multinational operators like DB Cargo and SNCF and engages with supranational institutions including the European Commission and International Labour Organization on regulatory and labor standards. Joint campaigns have included coordination with unions in Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland on issues such as cross-border worker rights and harmonization of technical standards promoted by manufacturers like Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi Rail.

Category:Trade unions in Germany Category:Rail transport in Germany