Current:Home > BackGerman train drivers go on strike for 6 days, bringing railway traffic to a near-standstill - again-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
German train drivers go on strike for 6 days, bringing railway traffic to a near-standstill - again
View Date:2025-01-11 09:44:55
BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s train drivers brought rail traffic to a standstill again early Wednesday when they began a six-day strike to push their demands in a rancorous dispute with the country’s main railway operator over working hours and pay.
The strike by the GDL union will affect passenger services and freight trains operated by state-owned Deutsche Bahn until 6 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Monday.
The union held a three-day strike earlier this month and two walkouts last year which lasted up to 24 hours.
On Wednesday, train travel across the country and in many cities ground to a halt again with commuters and other travelers struggling to find alternatives involving long-distance bus or car travel or flights.
As with the previous strikes, around 80% of long-distance trains were canceled and there were also considerable restrictions on regional services, according to Deutsche Bahn.
There were also be considerable restrictions in freight transport.
“European freight traffic across the Alps, Poland or to Scandinavia as well as the seaports in Holland or Belgium will also be affected,” said Deutsche Bahn. Even before the strike, a significant drop in cargo volumes had been registered because many customers had canceled shipments, German news agency dpa reported.
In addition to pay raises, the union is calling for working hours to be reduced from 38 to 35 per week without a pay cut, a demand which Deutsche Bahn has so far refused.
On Wednesday, the train operator again rejected the union’s proposals as a basis for further negotiations, calling them a “repetition of well-known maximum demands,” dpa reported.
With negotiations stalled, Germany’s transportation minister said the government was not ruling out arbitration proceedings between GDL and Deutsche Bahn.
“If things are so deadlocked that we obviously can no longer talk to each other, then we urgently need mediation or arbitration,” Volker Wissing said on public radio Deutschlandfunk.
veryGood! (912)
Related
- Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
- GOP convention sets the stage for the Democratic convention in Chicago, activists and police say
- Thousands celebrate life of former fire chief killed at Trump rally, private funeral set for Friday
- AP Week in Pictures: Global
- Kendall Jenner Is Back to Being a Brunette After Ditching Blonde Hair
- Accused of biting police official, NYC Council member says police were the aggressors
- Bob Newhart, Elf Actor and Comedy Icon, Dead at 94
- Bob Newhart mourned by Kaley Cuoco, Judd Apatow, Al Franken and more
- 2 credit unions in Mississippi and Louisiana are planning to merge
- Ashlyn Harris Shares Insight Into “Really Hard” Divorce From Ali Krieger
Ranking
- Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
- Harvey Weinstein due in NYC courtroom for hearing tied to upcoming retrial
- The Best Plus Size Summer Dresses for Feeling Chic & Confident at Work
- King Charles opens new, left-leaning U.K. Parliament in major public address after cancer diagnosis
- Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers Summer League box score
- How Olympic Gymnast Jade Carey Overcomes Frustrating Battle With Twisties
- Michael Strahan's daughter Isabella shares she's cancer free: 'I miss my doctors already'
Recommendation
-
Kirk Herbstreit berates LSU fans throwing trash vs Alabama: 'Enough is enough, clowns'
-
Accused of biting police official, NYC Council member says police were the aggressors
-
Alabama set to execute convicted murderer, then skip autopsy
-
Appeals courts are still blocking Biden’s efforts to expand LGBTQ+ protections under Title IX
-
'The Penguin' spoilers! Colin Farrell spills on that 'dark' finale episode
-
Is Alabama adding Nick Saban's name to Bryant-Denny Stadium? Here's what we know
-
Alabama set to execute convicted murderer, then skip autopsy
-
Shoppers spent $14.2 billion during Amazon's Prime day: Here's what they bought