German train drivers prepare for new strike

German train drivers are planning another strike, adding to the recent disruptions in the country’s rail services

German train drivers have announced a 24-hour walkout on Tuesday in an ongoing dispute with the national rail operator about pay and working hours.

The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) has said the strike on passenger trains will begin at 2 a.m. local time (1 a.m. GMT) on Tuesday and will continue until Wednesday at 2 a.m.

The national railway operator Deutsche Bahn has sharply criticized the union for staging a short-notice walkout and said it has started to work on an emergency timetable.

The company said its long-distance and regional rail services would be massively affected by the strike action and advised passengers to postpone their journey if possible.

The GDL union and Deutsche Bahn have been negotiating for months to reach a new collective agreement.

On Friday, Deutsche Bahn invited the union to return to the negotiating table but did not make a new offer. The GDL had insisted that the company submit a new, written offer by 6 p.m. (5 p.m. GMT) on Sunday.

In their previous meeting, Deutsche Bahn offered up to 13% more employee wages and an option model that could reduce weekly working hours from 38 to 37.

However, the union, representing about 10,000 employees, insists on reducing shift workers’ working hours to 35, with no reduction in pay.

Source: AA

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