Travel chaos in Germany as train drivers strike

German commuters are facing travel chaos today, as train drivers stage a one-day strike over pay. Some 34,000 drivers walked out early this morning, stepping up their dispute which has dragged on for months. The GDL union has rejected a four and a half percent deal agreed with other rail workers. They say they are under-paid compared to drivers elsewhere in Europe and want a separate deal of up to 31 percent.

A survey for Stern magazine claims that more than half of Germans sympathise with the drivers. Deutsche Bahn says it is preparing a revised offer to be put to the union on Monday. The company hired replacement drivers to keep some trains running during last Friday’s three-hour strike.

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