German Strikes On Hold For New Wage Deal

German train drivers will hold off on strikes after 29 October as it awaits a new wage offer from state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn AG, the German train drivers' union (GDL) has announced.

Following 30-hour strikes, which have crippled the passenger network in Germany over the last month, Deutsche Bahn AG says normal regional and S-Bahn train services have now resumed although delays are expected until Friday evening.

The rail company – who run Europe's largest track network – has so far refused to meet the union's demands for a wage increase of 31 percent, asking train drivers to work an additional two hours a week in order to receive the ten percent raise.

A ruling by a court in Chemnitz, Germany prevents the engineers from striking on long-distance and freight routes.

GDL and Deutsche Bahn have both appealed the labour court decision, according to Bloomberg.

By staff writer