German train drivers strike again in push for reduced work week

Passenger train services are scheduled to strike from 1 AM on Thursday until 12 PM on Friday. Meanwhile, the strike action for freight trains will extend from 5 PM on Wednesday until 4 AM on Friday.

Weselsky stated that GDL will not give a 48-hour notice before future strikes.

GDL has been locked in a dispute with Deutsche Bahn, the German railway operator, for months over a new collective agreement. The main issue at stake is the union's demand to reduce the working week for shift workers from 38 hours to 35, without any cut in pay. A recent lengthy strike by train drivers at the end of January resulted in thousands of train cancellations.

"This strike will last a total of 35 hours, symbolizing our demand for a 35-hour work week, so the entire country understands our stance," Weselsky was quoted by the dpa news agency.

Additionally, on Monday, the Verdi trade union called for a warning strike among Lufthansa's ground staff, which is set to take place on Thursday and Friday.