A conflict over the contract for 30,000 train drivers and conductors represented by the GDL union working for the German rail has led to multiple days of strikes over the last weeks. The Spiegel reports that the former currently net between 1970 und 2142 euros per month and want an increase to 2500 euros; and, the latter net between 1775 und 1884 euros per month and want an increase to 2180 euros. Moreover, they note, since the 1994 privatization of the Bahn, the workers have effectively lost 10%. This is due to inflation as well as longer working hours with no additional pay.

MDR (Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk) provides a concise summary that clarifies and puts in perspective the demands of the workers and the costs to the Bahn:

Das Durchschnittsgehalt der Lokführer bei der Deutschen Bahn beläuft sich dabei gegenwärtig auf 1.500 Euro netto. Zudem gibt es keine Staffelung der Gehälter. Im Prinzip geht der Lokführer also mit dem Einstiegsgehalt in Rente.

A train driver employed by the German Bahn currently nets, on average, 1500 euros per month. Further, the pay does not increase with age and experience. That means that train drivers of retiring age earn the same as those who are just starting.

Nach Berechnungen der Gewerkschaft kommen bei einer Lohnerhöhung von 31 Prozent auf die Bahn Mehrkosten von etwa 22 Millionen Euro zu. Zum Vergleich: Die Gehaltserhöhung des Bahnvorstandes im Jahr 2006 betrug immerhin 60 Prozent und schlug mit satten acht Millionen Euro zu Buche.

According to the union, a pay increase of 31% would mean an additional cost to the Bahn of 22 Million Euros. To compare, in 2006, the board of directors received a 60% pay increase amounting to 8 Million euros.

Moreover,

Seit der Privatisierung 1994 hätten sie einen Reallohnverlust von 9,5 Prozent erlitten.

Since the 1994 privatization, the workers have an effective loss of 9.5 percent.

The 60% raise to the board of directors was only in 2006, however; Focus reports that between 1999 and 2005, the 8 directors saw a 300% increase in pay going from a combined pay of 3.6 Million Euros in 1999 to 14.7 Million Euros at the end of 2005. The added 60% from 2006 brings that total to 20 Million euros for an average salary of 2.5 Million Euros.

But even with these increases to the directors' pay, the Bahn is hardly struggling. In 2006, the Bahn posted earnings of 1.68 Billion EURs.

Im vergangenen Jahr hatte die Bahn unter dem Strich einen Rekordgewinn von 1,68 Milliarden Euro verbucht.