New strike to hit German passenger rail from tomorrow

New strike to hit German passenger rail from tomorrow

FRANKFURT: Germany’s passenger train network faces a second round of strikes tomorrow and disruption to freight services this weekend, adding more pain to the tourist season and already strained supply chains. The latest move in an escalating wage dispute will impact passenger services from 2:00 am (0000 GMT) on August 23 and last 48 hours, the head of the GDL train drivers union Claus Weselsky told reporters Friday.

The industrial action affecting cargo trains will begin August 21 and end at the same time four days later, the union head said. “Deutsche Bahn has up to this point not given notice that it will make any concessions in the pay dispute it started,” Weselsky said, referring to the German rail operator.

“The GDL sees itself forced to call for new strikes at Deutsche Bahn,” he said. Deutsche Bahn criticised the announcement of the new strike, saying in a statement that it was “a wholly unnecessary burden for our passengers and freight clients”. Earlier this month, the union led a walkout after its members voted 95 percent in favour, following the collapse of pay talks with Deutsche Bahn.

On Germany’s long-distance rail network, carriages were packed as only 25 percent of the scheduled service