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Since late Saturday afternoon, the GDL has initially been on strike on freight traffic
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Peter Endig / dpa
Initially in freight, from Monday also in passenger transport: The German Locomotive Drivers Union (GDL) started strikes at Deutsche Bahn on Saturday. The labor dispute is gradually starting, there is gradually the corresponding feedback from the strike leadership on site, said a GDL spokesman in the afternoon. Train drivers and workers in the workshops at the DB Cargo subsidiary are called upon to stop work. On request, the railway confirmed in the afternoon that the actions had started.
The strike is said to last for more than three days until Wednesday at two o'clock.
At the weekend, only freight traffic is initially affected, from Monday at 2 a.m. passenger traffic will also be on strike.
Industry and logistics associations had previously criticized the GDL's labor dispute in freight transport.
Among other things, they referred to the particular stresses that the supply chains were already exposed to during the corona crisis.
It's about a wage increase, better working conditions and a corona bonus
The railway did not initially provide any information about the exact effects of the strike at DB Cargo.
The group announced that it would be running supply-relevant trains together with external partner railways.
Before the second wave of strikes, backlogs in the shunting facilities had been cleared and capacities had been created to secure train operations.
It is the second wave of strikes in the current collective bargaining dispute between GDL and DB.
The union is calling for a two-tier wage increase of 3.2 percent, a corona bonus of 600 euros and better working conditions.
The railway offers 3.2 percent more wages, but wants to implement the levels later and a longer term.
tfb / dpa / AFP