German rail network back to normal
Print Edition
GERMANY’S rail network began gradually returning to normal yesterday after train drivers ended a near one-week-long strike, the longest in the history of state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
However, aspects of the dispute over pay and negotiating rights remain unresolved and the train drivers’ union has so far refused to heed a government call for mediation, raising concerns it could call further stoppages.
The strike has caused major disruption in a country where about 5.5 million passengers use the train network each day and one-fifth of freight — some 620,000 tons a day — is hauled by rail.
Economists said the stoppage, which began on freight trains last week on Monday and spread to passenger trains on Tuesday, could cut second-quarter economic growth by 0.1 percentage point, costing Europe’s biggest economy up to 750 million euros.
Some disruptions in rail services were expected yesterday but normal operations should be restored by today, Deutsche Bahn said in a statement.
The GDL union, which represents 20,000 train drivers, launched the walkout to back demands for it to negotiate a 5 percent pay rise and a reduction in the work week to 37 hours from 39 on behalf of other rail workers including train stewards. Deutsche Bahn has 200,000 employees.
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