German Rail Network at Standstill

Germany's Deutsche Bahn AG train engineers began a day-long strike on regional commuter rail services this morning as part of long-running demands for higher pay.

The strikes, called by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), have affected regional and S-Bahn railway services.

The strikes began at 2am and will run until midnight.

GDL has demanded wage increases of 30%, which Deutsche Bahn has so far resisted.

In a statement on its website, state-owned rail network Deutsche Bahn says there has been a court ban on strikes on long-distance services.

But the company also says that strike-related disturbances cannot be excluded beyond regional services.

By staff writer