Germany is bracing for widespread disruption to rail services after train drivers began a record six-day strike on Wednesday that will wreak havoc on travel plans, overwhelm supply chains and deal a fresh blow to a weakened economy.
The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) has announced the start of a strike on passenger trains from 2am Wednesday local time (0100GMT). The strike will last until 6pm on Monday (0500GMT).
Long-distance, regional and commuter rail services will be significantly affected due to the strike from 23 to 29 January, the National railway operator said.
The company advises passengers to check their flights 24 hours before travelling, postpone travel if possible and use a later ticket. Deutsche Bahn also called on the union to return to the bargaining table. A Deutsche Bahn spokeswoman told public broadcaster ARD:
It is now time to come together, negotiate, find compromises. We are ready to meet at any time, and any place, for negotiations and discussions.
The National railway operator said the action would lead to delays and cancellations of intercity, regional and urban commuter flights. Freight transport will also face “significant restrictions”. As with the previous strikes, around 80% of long-distance trains were cancelled and there were also considerable restrictions on regional services, according to Deutsche Bahn.
The union is pushing for a wage increase of 555 euros (about $600) a month, as well as a lump-sum wage supplement of up to 3,000 euros (about $3,250).
The union is also demanding a reduction in working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours per week without a pay cut.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has defended the right to strike from calls from the conservative opposition to make it more difficult for workers in critical infrastructure to do so.
