German train drivers begin six-day strike, hitting travel and the economy

Germany is bracing for widespread disruption to rail services after train drivers embarked on a record six-day strike Wednesday that will wreak havoc on travel plans, strain supply chains and deal a new blow to the sputtering economy, CNN reported. 

It’s the second time this month that members of Germany’s GDL Union have walked off the job in an ongoing wage dispute with Deutsche Bahn. The state-owned rail operator said the action would cause delays and cancellations to long-distance, regional and city commuter services until Monday. Freight transport will also face “considerable restrictions.”

Pre-booked tickets for travel during the strike will remain valid for future trips, Deutsche Bahn added. Passengers can also cancel their booking and receive a full refund. Some commuters expressed frustration at the train drivers’ latest action.

“I’ve always been understanding of strikes of all kinds. But my patience has now run out,” Ilse Terwey told CNN at Berlin’s main train station. “Nobody wins. Everyone loses. Passengers lose. The economy loses, the (railway’s) image loses.”

The longest industrial action in Deutsche Bahn’s 30-year history will pile more pressure on Germany’s vast manufacturing sector, which is already grappling with high energy costs, supply chain delays, elevated interest rates, and weak domestic and foreign demand.

Industrial production, dominated by manufacturing, contracted 2% last year, the country’s statistics office said last week. That was a major drag on the economy overall, with gross domestic product falling 0.3% in 2023, likely the weakest performance among Europe’s big countries.