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Nationwide train strike disrupts travel across Germany

Posted August 11, 2021 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Trains are parked outside the central train station in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Train drivers of the German GDL union asking for higher wages started a strike two hours after midnight. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) The Associated Press

A nationwide railway workers strike brought large parts of Germany's long-distance and commuter train systems to a standstill Wednesday as vacationers scrambled to remake their travel plans and children in big cities like Berlin squeezed into buses and trams to get to school.

Train operator Deutsche Bahn said that as a result of the two-day strike, only about a quarter of its long-distance trains would run on Wednesday and Thursday. The company urged passengers to refrain from unnecessary travel and said it would lift coronavirus-related restrictions to allow every seat to be booked.

Members of the GDL union began their strike Tuesday night. The union said that 95% of its members had voted to back the move to press their demand for a salary increase.

The union is demanding a 3.2% salary increase and a one-time 'œcoronavirus bonus'ť of 600 euros ($703).

German train operator Deutsche Bahn has rejected the demands. The company has lost billions since the start of the pandemic and from recent floods that destroyed or damaged numerous railroad tracks.

Eleven of Germany's 16 states are on summer vacation, and travelers are heavily relying on trains to get around. However, customers who have already bought tickets for the coming days can request refunds, Deutsche Bahn said.

The company said that during the strike, priority would be given to connections between Berlin and cities in the west, as well as between Hamburg and Frankfurt.

In Berlin, where schools reopened Monday, children were running late because most of the capital's commuter S-Bahn trains weren't running and streets were jammed because many workers were trying to get to their jobs by car to avoid the strike.

The head of the GDL union, Claus Weselsky, told reporters Tuesday the strike would start with all cargo trains at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT) Tuesday and expand to include passengers trains from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Wednesday until 2 a.m. Friday,

Red signal lights shine outside the central train station in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. Train drivers of the German GDL union asking for higher wages started a strike two hours after midnight. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) The Associated Press

An empty station platform is pictured at the main station in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. A nationwide, two-day train strike has brought big parts of the German railway and commuter system to a standstill. Words on the information board read: 'GDL-Strike! No Railwayservice'. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

A person stands on the empty station platform at the main station in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. A nationwide, two-day train strike has brought big parts of the German railway and commuter system to a standstill. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) The Associated Press

Numerous locomotives stand unlit at Maschen freight station, while one has its headlights on, in Maschen, Germany, Tuesday night, Aug. 10, 2021. German railway workers are going a nationwide strike starting Tuesday night, the head of the GDL union said after announcing that 95% of its members had voted to back the move. Travelers were warned to expect disruptions. (Jonas Walzberg/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Freight wagons stand at the freight station during a strike in Maschen, Germany, late Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. The head of the GDL union, Claus Weselsky, told reporters the strike would start with all cargo trains at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT) Tuesday and expand to include passengers trains from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Wednesday until 2 a.m. Friday. German train operator Deutsche Bahn has rejected the demands. (Jonas Walzberg/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

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