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World

German train drivers launch 2-day strike in bitter pay dispute after rejecting new offer

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Empty platforms are seen as German train drivers went on strike to demand pay hike and better work conditions in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. A union representing German train drivers has called members out on a two-day strike this Saturday and Sunday, escalating a bitter pay dispute with national railway Deutsche Bahn. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

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    Rail tracks are almost empty as German train drivers went on strike demanding for higher wages and less working hours in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. A union representing German train drivers called members out on a two-day strike this Saturday and Sunday, escalating a bitter pay dispute with national railway Deutsche Bahn. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

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    An electronic board flashes cancellation of scheduled passenger trains as German train drivers went on strike to demand pay hike and better work conditions in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. A union representing German train drivers has called members out on a two-day strike this Saturday and Sunday, escalating a bitter pay dispute with national railway Deutsche Bahn. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (The Associated Press)

BERLIN – Train drivers at Germany's national railway have started a two-day strike after their union rejected a new pay offer in a bitter dispute complicated by rivalry between unions.

The GDL union called members out on strike from early Saturday morning until early Monday morning, its second walkout this week.

GDL wants a 5 percent pay increase and shorter working hours. A bigger sticking point is its demand to negotiate for other staff traditionally represented by a rival union.

National railway Deutsche Bahn says it offered a raise of 5 percent over 30 months on Friday for the drivers but won't accept rival pay deals for other employees. GDL rejected what it called a "sham offer."

Deutsche Bahn aimed to operate 30 percent of scheduled long-distance trains.