OREANDA-NEWS  This strike was called for by the German machinists' union GDL during tariff negotiations with the management of the Deutsche Bahn concern. The effects of the strike are expected to affect millions of passengers across the country. 

The strike of drivers of freight trains began in the country on August 21. The GDL is seeking, among other things, a salary increase for machinists this year by about 3.2 percent as well as a lump sum payment of 600 euros. Deutsche Bahn, for its part, proposes to carry out wage increases in two stages: by 1.5% from January 1, 2022 and by 1.7% from March 1, 2023. 

The GDL considers these conditions insufficient as well as the collective tariff agreement already concluded with the larger union of railway and transport workers EVG. 

The current strike of machinists is the second in the current round of negotiations. The first strike began on August 13 and lasted two days.