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In Germany, passenger train drivers go on strike for 48 hours

In Germany, passenger train drivers go on strike for 48 hours
photo: DB/DB
11 / 08 / 2021

Operators of passenger trains in Germany from 02.00 CET on Wednesday began a federal strike, which will last two days and end on Friday night. The strike was previously announced by the GDL.

Operators of passenger trains in Germany from 02.00 CET on Wednesday began a federal strike, which will last two days and end on Friday night. The strike was previously announced by the GDL.

Freight train drivers have been on strike since Tuesday evening.

The head of GDL, Klaus Weselski, voiced the demands of the railway workers to the Deutsche Bahn concern. They want a 3.2% salary increase this year and a one-time bonus for 2021 in connection with the pandemic in the amount of € 600. The concern called such demands "escalation at the wrong time."

German railways have lost billions in revenues during the Covid-19 pandemic and due to the damage caused by July’s catastrophic floods. In response to the union’s demand, they are proposing incremental pay rises over the coming years – starting with a 1.5 percent increase in pay in 2022. 

The strike threatens to paralyze rail links in Germany and turn into chaos at train stations across the country. Deutsche Bahn canceled 75% of long-distance trains for the next 48 hours. The concern promised to exchange tickets for all passengers affected by the strike free of charge.

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