Germany's Longest Train Strike Brings the Country to a Halt

Germany's Longest Train Strike , Brings the Country to a Halt.

'The Guardian' reports that much of Germany came to a halt on January 23, as train operators began a planned six-day strike.

The strike, which will reportedly impact both passenger trains and freight trains, is occurring amid recent tension and unrest across the country.

The strike, which will reportedly impact both passenger trains and freight trains, is occurring amid recent tension and unrest across the country.

Farmers have blocked thoroughfares with tractors in protest of government proposals to end subsidies for fuel.

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At the same time, about one million people have taken to the streets to protest revelations of far right efforts to conduct a mass expulsion of foreigners.

The six-day train operator strike is estimated to cost Germany millions of euros per day.

The GDL train operators' union has called for workers' weekly hours to be cut from 38 to 35 with no reduction in pay.

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Deutsche Bahn (DB), the national rail operator, has offered workers an average 4.8% wage increase beginning in August, and another 5% in spring of 2025.

In addition, DB said it would give workers an inflation compensation package to be paid out over a fixed period of 32 months.

In addition, DB said it would give workers an inflation compensation package to be paid out over a fixed period of 32 months.

However, DB has said that further cuts to employees' working hours would deepen an already considerable staff shortage.

'The Guardian' reports that DB is already under strain due to consistently poor reliability stemming from long-term underfunding and an ongoing labor shortage