Germany rail strike ends
German train drivers returned to their jobs early today after a three-day strike calling for better pay, officials said.
The strike formally ended at 2am (1am Irish time) Saturday, after 62 hours of disrupted traffic that left millions of commuters and freight cars across the country stranded.
Manfred Schell, head of the GDL union that organised the strikes, said he was “very happy” with the action, adding that the union would meet again early next week to discuss the next step.
Freight and passenger trains resumed as regularly scheduled today.
Traffic Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said late Friday the German government was working to bring together union officials and railway operator Deutsche Bahn again for talks, in hopes of ending the seven-month long stand-off. The last round of talks were two weeks ago.
GDL wants a hefty pay increase for train drivers and is insisting that they be given a pay deal separate from that given to other railway employees – a demand that Deutsche Bahn firmly rejects.
GDL has rejected a 4.5% raise that Deutsche Bahn agreed with two rival unions that represent a broader range of railway workers.
Deutsche Bahn has said its existing offer amounts to a raise of up to 10% for train drivers, along with better working conditions.
