Germany

UPDATED: German rail operator: Friday strike to have “massive” impact

cde.news desk 19 April 2023, 09:20 · 1 min read

A pedestrian wearing a mask walks in underground station in central Berlin, Germany, 05 November 2021. Due to an increasing number of cases of the pandemic COVID-19 disease caused by the corona virus SARS CoV-2, new nationwide restrictions have been announced to counter a surge in infections. EPA-EFE/FILIP SINGER

April 19 (Reuters) – German state railway operator Deutsche Bahn on Wednesday said a strike planned for Friday would have a massive impact on the country’s rail network.

Germany’s EVG union announced on Wednesday a nationwide transport strike for Friday, with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn among the companies impacted.

The strike will affect 50 companies and run from 3 am (0100 GMT) until 11 am (0900 GMT), the railway and transport union said.

Commuters should be prepared for delays and cancellations, it warned.

High inflation in Europe’s largest economy has prompted a wave of strikes in recent months as workers demand higher pay to offset the rising cost of living.

The Verdi union has also called on security control workers to strike at three airports on Thursday and Friday. Hamburg Airport on Tuesday said all departures would be cancelled or take place without passengers as a result, with around 80,000 travellers likely to be affected.

The EVG, which is negotiating on behalf of 230,000 workers, is seeking a 12 % wage increase or at least an additional 650 euros per month.

The state-owned Deutsche Bahn has offered 5% more and one-off payments of up to 2,500 euros.