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German train drivers on strike for second day, causing scores of cancellations

Associated Press
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Due to a train drivers strike the platforms at the main train station remain empty in the afternoon in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. The GDL union said passenger services was hit from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Wednesday until 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) Thursday. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (The Associated Press)

Due to a train drivers strike the platforms at the main train station remain empty in the afternoon in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. The GDL union said passenger services was hit from 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Wednesday until 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) Thursday. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (The Associated Press)

Passenger trains are parked at the main train station in Frankfurt, central Germany, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. The GDL union said passenger services will be hit from 2 a.m. (00:00 GMT) Wednesday until 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) Thursday. (Boris Roessler/dpa via AP) (The Associated Press)

German train drivers are on strike for a second day, causing scores of cancellations around the country.

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn was able to keep some trains running, but the dpa news agency reported Thursday that two-thirds of its long-distance trains and between 40 percent and 85 percent of its local trains were cancelled, depending on the region.

The GDL union, which wants a 5 percent pay increase and shorter working hours, said last week talks with Deutsche Bahn had broken down.

The main sticking point has been GDL's insistence that it negotiate not just for train drivers but for other railway staff who are traditionally represented by a larger rival union.

The strike is due to end Thursday night for passenger trains and Friday for freight traffic.