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).
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).
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 said on Monday that it would resume talks with the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), pushing back the possibility of further crippling strikes.
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.
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.
UPDATE: Delays and cancellations plagued commuters on Thursday morning as Deutsche Bahn (DB) recovered from a train drivers' strike, but services are now largely back to normal.
The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) announced that it was planning further strike action on Monday in response to an open letter it received from employer Deutsche Bahn (DB) last week.
As Lufthansa pilots staged another half-day strike over pensions on Friday, Germany's train drivers announced a three-hour walkout for Saturday morning.
British transport company National Express will sign a contract on Wednesday to run two regional rail services in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany's most populous state in a deal worth €1.6 billion.
German engineering giant Siemens said on Thursday it had won an order to supply 1,140 new commuter rail carriages to Britain for around €1.8 billion.
Talks between opponents and state government politicians over the controversial rail project Stuttgart 21 enter their final phase on Saturday, with financing likely to be the main subject for debate.
Belgium's public railway company SNCB announced on Friday it will order 305 electric passenger trains from Germany's Siemens worth €1.3 billion ($2.05 billion).
