Reports from the EWC working groups

• Transportation and Logistics Working Group

Issues discussed at the meeting were Project Cobra, cooperation between Railion AG and Belgian SNCB, Railion Scandinavia, Rail Select, the stragegy of the EWS subsidiary ECR (Euro Cargo Rail) in and , together with the future structure of DB Schenker Rail Europe.

Further topics included the introduction of e-learning tools for the dangerous goods division, environment responsibility at Schenker and the planned purchase of a large forwarding company in .

• Passenger Transport Working Group

Central topics included the formation of alliances in European high-speed transport. At the latest from 2010, the liberalisation of passenger transport will see the development of increased competition in this area. Another topic looked at implementation of the European directive on working conditions in cross-border traffic.

Information and Consultation with Central Management pursuant to Section 32 of the German European Works Council Act

The issues addressed by the speakers on behalf of the employer were the structure of the DB Group together with capital privatisation, the Corporate Principles Ethical Code of Conduct, developments in transportation and logistics and the international activities of DB Urban Transport.

There was discussion in particular about the planned employee participation programme in the context of partial privatisation. For reasons of Corporate Identity, the EWC asks the Central Management to find a possibility for all European employees of the DB Group to participate in the initial public offering.

Report

A representative of the Confederation of German Trades Unions reports about current issues on a European level. She explains in particular the planned revision of the EU directive on European Works Councils.

Mega Truck: pro and con

A representative of the "pro Schiene" alliance of transportation and environmental associations, trades unions, professional associations and industry reports on the possible certification of giga liners on Europe's roads and on the effects of such measures, followed by a controversial discussion about the pros and cons.

Final report on the EVA project

The joint project by EWC and the EVA, for environmentally sensitive transport entitled "The EWC as player in foresighted handling of change in the European rail freight market" has come to a conclusion. It consisted of four workshops in different countries that took stock and analysed the development in freight transport flows in the various regions, together with employment development in the DB Group.

Conclusion of the project: "As a European player, the DB AG Group needs strong European representation of its interests."

The next EWC meeting will take place in from 5 to 7 May 2009.