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German train drivers begin 4-day nationwide strike

Other News Materials 4 November 2014 22:58 (UTC +04:00)
The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) said on Tuesday that Deutsche Bahn train drivers would embark on the strike on Nov.5
German train drivers begin 4-day nationwide strike

German train drivers are set to begin a four-day nationwide strike this week, setting the stage for a rail transport disruption in Europe's biggest economy, PressTV reported.

The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) said on Nov. 4 that Deutsche Bahn train drivers would embark on the strike on Nov. 5.

In a statement, GDL said the strike would start from 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Nov. 5 for freight trains and from 02:00 (01:00 GMT) on Nov. 6 for passenger trains.

The union had earlier warned that its members would launch a 91-hour walkout if its demands were not met.

The announcement of a four-day walkout follows a failure in confidential talks between the union of train drivers and the country's railroad company.

On Nov.3, Deutsche Bahn said the closed-door negotiations with the GDL ended in failure.

GDL seeks a five-percent pay rise for 20,000 drivers and two-hour reduction of working hours per week.

The union has also demanded wage deals for nearly 17,000 train guards and other personnel.

In mid-October, GDL called for a 50-hour strike, halting two thirds of long-distance trains and leaving millions stranded at the beginning of weekend holidays.

Following GDL's industrial action in October, pilots at German airline, Lufthansa, staged a two-day strike, causing flight disruptions for thousands of travelers.

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