Berlin, 24 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Train drivers under the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) have begun their longest strike yet in their long-running industrial dispute with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB).

The strike began on Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) in freight transport, and the GDL then extended it to passenger transport early Wednesday morning.

The industrial action is to continue until Monday at 6:00 pm. Passengers will face considerable restrictions on long-distance and regional services over the next few days.

As with the previous strikes, DB has drawn up a timetable with significantly reduced services. Customers can find out which trains are running via the railway's website or its app.

The company has also set up a free information telephone number that can be used to obtain personalized information about travel schedules.

Anyone who was scheduled to travel with DB during the expected strike can use their tickets for travel after the strike period. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge.

This is the union's fourth and longest strike to date. For the first time in the current labour dispute, it also covers an entire weekend.

The wage dispute is deadlocked. No negotiations between the GDL and DB have taken place since the end of November 2023.

The GDL wants to reduce weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35 hours, but with the same salary. DB countered with a pay model that provides for a one-hour reduction without a salary drop, which the union rejected.

Photo: MIA archive