New week of air, rail travel strikes in Germany
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The industrial action will be the union's sixth since November, and it comes less than a week after a 35-hour strike by its train drivers disrupted travel for thousands of rail customers.
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Lufthansa aircraft are parked at the airport in Frankfurt Germany on March 7, 2024 (AP)
Germans faced more travel disruptions as train drivers declared a second 24-hour halt on Sunday, following the Lufthansa cabin crew's strike notice.
Germany is seeing nationwide strikes this week, which will disrupt almost all transportation hubs and facilities, including airports.
Lufthansa, Germany's top airline, said that it is "expecting extensive effects on the flight program," with 200,000 passengers likely to be affected and 1,000 flights per day canceled similar to previous strikes, local news agency dpa reported.
The GDL train drivers' union said that the latest strike impacting passenger services will begin at 0100 GMT on Tuesday and continue until 0100 GMT on Wednesday, and freight services would be delayed earlier citing stalled discussions with train operator Deutsche Bahn.
The industrial action will be the union's sixth since November, and it comes less than a week after a 35-hour strike by its train drivers disrupted travel for thousands of rail customers.
Lufthansa cabin staff are planning strikes at Frankfurt and Munich airports on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
The German airline firm was already struck by a two-day strike by ground staff last week, as employees seek more compensation.
For months, Europe's largest economy has been seeing strike action as workers and management in various industries negotiate conditions in the face of rising prices and poor commercial activity.
The GDL union stated that Deutsche Bahn had failed to provide a better-written offer by a Sunday evening deadline, which "inevitably leads to industrial action," according to GDL leader Claus Weselsky.
Deutsche Bahn had already asked for a new round of discussions on Monday. The company's human resources director Martin Seiler reported that it is "convinced" it would reach an agreement "through dialogue at the negotiating table."
In addition to wage increases, the GDL union's main demand is a shorter work week of 35 hours, down from 38 now, at full pay.
Deutsche Bahn claimed it has given concessions worth up to 13% higher compensation, as well as the option of reducing the working week to 37 hours beginning in 2026.
