Stadler Secures Berlin Plant’s Future with Landmark Collective Labor Agreement and 2032 Location Guarantee

Stadler Secures Berlin Plant’s Future with Landmark Collective Labor Agreement and 2032 Location Guarantee

(IN BRIEF) Stadler’s Berlin plant has secured its future with a new collective labor agreement reached between management, employee representatives, and IG Metall. Announced on 11 April 2025, the agreement includes a location guarantee until 2032, ensuring stability and job security—most positions are protected until 31 March 2029—with further harmonization of wages starting 2028/2029. These measures, which include a temporary increase of the weekly working hours to 40 without additional wage increases, are intended to reinforce the plant’s competitiveness amid economic challenges induced by the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and rising energy costs. CEO Jure Mikolčić and IG Metall’s First Authorized Representative Jan Otto both praised the outcome for safeguarding jobs and confirming Stadler’s long-term commitment to Berlin. Their joint efforts have not only prevented more drastic measures like plant closures or significant wage cuts, but have also set a clear strategic direction for sustainable investment and innovation at the site. Additionally, the agreement supports ongoing projects such as the delivery of new underground trains for the Berlin Transport Company (BVG), further signaling the company’s robust future in a competitive international market.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 11-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Management, employee representatives, and IG Metall have reached a collective labor agreement that secures the future of the Berlin plant of train manufacturer Stadler. The agreement was announced on 11 April 2025 after intensive negotiations, with a location guarantee extending until 2032 and job security measures ensuring that most positions are safeguarded until 31 March 2029.

Jure Mikolčić, CEO of Stadler’s Germany division, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I would like to thank our employees, the works council, and IG Metall for the constructive discussions over the last few weeks. Together, we have managed to secure the future of the site and the jobs for the coming years.” Negotiations reached a critical milestone on 9 April when IG Metall and Stadler Germany’s management finalized the bargaining outcome, which was subsequently approved by the union members on 10 April.

Jan Otto, First Authorized Representative of IG Metall Berlin, highlighted the positive outcome by saying, “Together we have achieved a good negotiation result. There is now a future for Stadler and its employees in Berlin. The location guarantee until 2032 is a clear sign of Stadler’s long-term prospects in the city. I would like to thank all my colleagues at Stadler for their clear stance and commitment throughout these weeks, which significantly contributed to this success.”

Key elements of the agreement include a location guarantee through 2032, job security for the majority of employees until 31 March 2029, and the gradual harmonization of remuneration with the collective agreement from 2028/2029. There will be no reductions in basic pay or wage waivers; however, a temporary increase in weekly working hours to 40 hours has been agreed upon without additional wage equalisation. Jan Otto explained that these adjustments reflect the need for more skilled workers in the near future and that minor changes in working hours are expected within the first three years.

Despite positive order intake and high capacity utilisation, the Berlin plant faced economic challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and soaring energy and raw material prices. In response, Stadler had earlier indicated plans to streamline operations and request employee contributions to strengthen the plant against intense international competition.

Mikolčić acknowledged the sacrifices made, emphasizing that the negotiations prevented drastic measures such as partial closures or nominal wage cuts. “I would like to express my sincere thanks to our employees for their support during these difficult decisions. Their understanding and willingness to help secure Stadler’s future in Berlin is not something we take for granted,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mikolčić added, “We have taken joint measures to position our sites sustainably for increasing international competition. This enables us to continue investing in research and development, staying true to Stadler’s legacy of innovative, climate-friendly trains tailored to our customers’ needs.” He also noted that work on the delivery of new underground trains for Berlin Transport Company (BVG), scheduled for late summer, continues at full speed.

About Stadler

Stadler has been building trains for over 80 years. The provider of mobility solutions in rail vehicle construction, service and signalling technology has its headquarters in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. More than 15,000 employees work at 8 production and 6 engineering locations as well as over 80 service locations, including over 5,600 employees in Switzerland.

The company is aware of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products. The product range in the mainline and urban transport sector includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, underground trains, tram-trains and trams. Stadler also manufactures mainline locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger coaches. Stadler is the world’s leading manufacturer of rack-and-pinion railway vehicles.

Media Contacts:

Stadler:

Julia Bülow
Head of Communication & Marketing
Phone: +49 172 4640631
e-mail: Presse.Deutschland@stadlerrail.com

www.stadlerrail.com

IG Metall Berlin

Andrea Weingart
Press spokeswoman
Phone: +49 177 59 63 859
e-mail: aw@aweingart.de

www.igmetall-berlin.de

SOURCE: Stadler