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Strike moves into 3rd day
16/11/2007 14:04 - (SA)
Berlin - Germany's railway operator said about 6 000 train drivers stayed away from work on Friday as their union took its strike into a third day in an attempt to force Deutsche Bahn to increase salaries.
Drivers of both passenger and freight trains stayed home on Friday and were not to return to work until 02:00 (01:00GMT) on Saturday.
Passenger drivers started their strike early on Thursday, while freight drivers walked off their jobs midday on Wednesday.
The action by the GDL union has affected millions of commuters, with only a third of regularly scheduled trains running in greater Berlin, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Deutsche Bahn said.
Roughly 20% of all commuter trains in the former East Germany were running, while half of trains in the former West were circulating as normal, according to the train operator.
Hardest hit were freight customers, with a backlog of 43 hours affecting depots from Hamburg to Munich, according to Deutsche Bahn.
"There are still grave reductions," said Ina von Spies, a spokesperson for the Hamburg harbour.
In a dispute that has simmered for months, GDL wants a hefty pay increase for train drivers and is insisting that they be given a pay deal separate from that given to other railway employees - a demand that Deutsche Bahn firmly rejects.
GDL has rejected a 4.5% raise that Deutsche Bahn agreed with two rival unions that represent a broader range of railway workers.
Deutsche Bahn has said its existing offer amounts to a raise of up to 10% for train drivers, along with better working conditions.
The German government and industry groups both have urged the two sides to return to negotiations, expressing concern about the possible economic fallout.
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