The Train Drivers' Union (GDL) and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have finally agreed to end their dispute over drivers' work conditions, offering hope that nine months of rail chaos has finally come to an end.
German railways operator Deutsche Bahn on Thursday announced an end to a drivers strike that had paralysed train travel in Europe's biggest economy, after the feuding sides agreed to mediation.
Passenger train traffic was massively reduced on Wednesday after train drivers began their strike overnight, but hope is growing that the GDL union will agree to mediated talks with rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB).
By abusing the power to bring the country to a halt at a stroke, train drivers' union GDL is endangering rights for all workers - and its own cause, argues The Local editor Tom Barfield.
Train drivers will walk out on strike for an indefinite period on Tuesday afternoon after last-minute talks between rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the train drivers' union GDL failed.
Train drivers' union GDL said on Monday that members would strike on goods trains from Tuesday and passenger services from Wednesday in a long-running battle with rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB).
German train drivers found themselves under fire from industry and the government on Monday after announcing their longest walkout in the history of rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
Train drivers continued with a two-day strike on passenger services on Thursday, leaving millions of commuters and travellers to find alternative routes.
Only a third of long distance trains are set to operate on Wednesday as the Train Drivers Union (GDL) widen their strike to target passenger trains across the country.
Train drivers will return to the picket lines on Tuesday afternoon after negotiations with rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) collapsed on Friday. Passenger services will be hit on Wednesday and Thursday.
Train drivers' union GDL said on Monday that passenger services as well as freight could be hit by strikes this week, after talks over pay, conditions and union representation failed on Friday.
Rail operator Deutsche Bahn has until 3 pm on Friday to respond to demands from the Train Drivers' Union (GDL) for a "reasonable provisional result" in talks over pay, conditions and union representation.
Rail operator Deutsche Bahn said on Monday that it would resume talks with the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), pushing back the possibility of further crippling strikes.
German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) boss Claus Weselsky said on Wednesday that his members would walk off the job after DB refused to accept an ultimatum he issued earlier in the week, although he did not say when or for how long they would strike.
Update: Deutsche Bahn (DB) has rejected an ultimatum issued by the Train Drivers' Union (GDL) on Monday, which means nationwide rail strikes may be on the horizon for Wednesday.
As railway operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) continues negotiations with train drivers' union GDL, its other major union EVG has threatened a strike over pay differences between employees.
The string of walkouts by German train drivers in the autumn cost national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) more than €150 million, DB's boss said on Wednesday.
Another union is throwing its hat into the rail fight, threatening Deutsche Bahn (DB) with one of the "worst strikes of all time" if they don't offer the train drivers union (GDL) and the EVG an offer "without preconditions" in negotiations on Friday.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the train drivers union (GDL) are bellying up to the bargaining table again on Friday, though the head of the GDL won't rule out more strikes.
The federation of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) said on Friday that strikes by train drivers' union GDL have cost Germany over half a billion Euros.
The union representing train service staff (EVG) is threatening to break its long silence over the strikes by train drivers' union GDL against rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB).
Passenger trains have resumed normal service, but freight is still backed up after the latest strike by train drivers' union GDL, Deutsche Bahn reported on Monday. One GDL boss also warned that as long as there is no agreement, there will be more strikes.
