'Disproportionate' strike?

Germany's GDL train drivers' union confirmed Wednesday a 4-day strike to last until Monday morning had begun in the afternoon, billed as the longest individual industrial action at Deutsche Bahn in the company's 20-year history.

The union reiterated it was fighting for a 5-percent pay hike and shorter working weeks, but it also insisted on getting a separate collective bargaining deal for other rail staff such as conductors, represented until now by rival union EVG.

Train started hampering freight traffic Wednesday, with passenger traffic to be crippled as of 2 a.m. Thursday morning (01:00 GMT). It's the sixth strike by train drivers in a row, drawing mounting criticism from political and business leaders across the nation.

The current labor action is also bound to affect tourists in the capital wanting to join this weekend's celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Compromise needed

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel told the mass-circulation newspaper Bild he was not amused by the renewed work stoppage. "What's happening right now is misuse of the right to strike." He called for an arbitrator to help reach a speedy settlement of the labor dispute, with a view to avoiding "further damage to the economy."

Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the latest strike was completely "disproportionate" and a serious burden on passengers. He advised Deutsche Bahn to take legal action against the GDL union.

Even the German Federation of Trade Union (DGB) dropped its support for GDL boss Claus Weselsky, saying there must be more willingness to find a compromise.

But GDL officials have so far remained stubborn, saying that if Deutsche Bahn's management doesn't meet their demands, even longer strikes could be stages still this year.

hg/sgb (dpa, AFP)