German train drivers to strike over wage row

BERLIN

German train drivers will strike for three days because of a pay dispute with national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, their union said Tuesday.

The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) said freight train drivers will stop work late Tuesday, with passenger train drivers ceasing operations Wednesday morning. The strike would end at 2 a.m. on Friday.

GDL’s leader Claus Weselsky said at a news conference in Frankfurt that 95% of members voted for the industrial action after negotiations with Deutsche Bahn failed to reach an agreement.

He also accused Deutsche Bahn management of misleading the public about the talks.

“They are talking about new and improved offers made to us. This has nothing to do with the reality,” he said, adding that the latest proposal was not negotiable for them.

“Now the only way for us to achieve improvements and better offers is through further industrial actions,” he said.

The union of more than 37,000 members is demanding a 3.2% pay rise for train drivers and a one-time €600 ($703) bonus because of work during the coronavirus pandemic.