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Transport chaos in Germany
25/10/2007 13:26 - (SA)
Berlin - German train drivers staged a new strike on Thursday causing turmoil for commuters into Berlin and the east of the country.
The 30-hour action which began at 02:00 (00:00 GMT) mostly affected regional trains in the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, the Deutsche Bahn railway company said.
The GDL drivers' union was mounting its fourth but longest strike in a month.
The suburban S-Bahn service was also disrupted in Berlin and the northern port of Hamburg, although the railway management maintained a minimum service.
A court order prevented drivers on long-distance routes and freight trains from joining the strike which is set to last until 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Friday.
Deutsche Bahn said its emergency measures meant it could guarantee about 50% of commuter and regional trains.
Up to 10 million people use the train each day in Germany.
The union has spent three months battling Deutsche Bahn for a pay increase of up to 31% and a separate contract from other rail workers.
The rail operator has refused to negotiate separately, but has offered a better deal than one agreed earlier this year with the Transnet and GDBA unions.
Opinion polls show that public support for the drivers is dropping.
- AFP
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