German Train Drivers Stage Strike Over Pay, Work Hours

Eldonita de Ivan Martínez
2014-10-20 14:23:35

Pinterest
Telegram
Linkedin
WhatsApp

Berlin, October 20 (RHC)-- One of the biggest strikes by German train drivers over pay and working hours has caused disruption across the country, Press TV reports.

The 50-hour walkout started from 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on Friday on freight services and from 2:00 am (0000 GMT) on Saturday on long-distance and regional passenger services. The strike will last until 4:00 am (0200 GMT) on Monday.

It came at a time when school autumn holidays have started and may continue longer than announced earlier, as talks between the German train drivers' union (GDL) and state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) have stalled so far.

The GDL has called for a five-percent pay raise for its drivers and the reduction of their working hours from 39 to 37 per week. It has repeatedly accused the DB of stone-walling in ongoing pay talks.

The national rail operator, however, described the announcement of the strike - the fifth in recent weeks - as "excessive," saying, "with its 50-hour strike on a holiday weekend, GDL and its chairman Claus Weselsky has lost all sense of proportion."

The operator said it would ensure that at least one-third of services will run. An earlier strike action by train drivers on October 15 caused major disruptions for commuters.

 

 



Komentarioj


Lasu komentarion
Ĉiuj kampoj bezonatas
Ne estos publikigita
captcha challenge
up