German train divers started a strike Wednesday for three days over a salary and working-hours dispute with the national rail operator.

The state-owned Deutsche Bahn has announced that long-distance, regional, and suburban rail services would be severely disrupted between Wednesday and Friday owing to the GDL drivers' union strike.

In a statement, the rail operator explained that “The emergency timetable only ensures very limited train services on DB's long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services. Please refrain from unnecessary journeys during the GDL strike and postpone your journey to another time."

Claus Weselsky, the chairman of the GDL union, strongly slammed Deutsche Bahn's management, saying the rail operator's latest offer was a "provocation" and fell well short of satisfying their requests.

Weselky told ARD broadcaster that “If no new offer comes by Friday, we will take a break, and then take the steps for the next strike action."

The GDL insists on a monthly pay rise of €555 (about $600) and a one-time inflation compensation premium of up to €3,000 (about $3,250). The union is also proposing that shift workers' working hours be reduced from 38 to 35 hours per week, with no pay cut.

In March last year, Germany's second-largest trade union Ver.di launched calls for public action across several German cities to protest low wages and working conditions in the transport industry.

Trade unions have been calling for a 10.5% increase in base wages, which is about an additional 500 euros ($544) per month.