Railway workers began a strike across Germany today, Friday, causing nearly a complete halt to services during the morning hours, as protests over wages expand in the country with the largest economy in Europe. The strike, organized by the German railway union "EVG," started at 3 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) and ended at 11 a.m.
An eight-hour strike has brought Germany’s railways to a standstill, while walkouts are also underway at four major German airports in a parallel pay dispute. The EVG rail workers union called for members to walk out between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Friday. The union, which is negotiating on behalf of 230,000 employees, is seeking a 12 percent wage increase or at least an addition of 650 euros, equivalent to 715 dollars, to the monthly pay.
The railway workers' strike coincides with a strike at four German airports: Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, and Stuttgart, following the cancellation of around 700 flights due to the strike at the first three airports yesterday, Thursday.
