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German train drivers’ union calls 2-day strike

By WTOP Staff

BERLIN (AP) — 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.

The GDL union said the strike will begin at 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) Saturday and end at 4 a.m. (0200 GMT) Monday. Freight train drivers will walk off the job starting 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) Friday.

The strike follows a 14-hour walkout Wednesday.

GDL wants a 5 percent pay increase and shorter working hours. It also claims the right to negotiate pay for other staff traditionally represented by a rival union.

GDL chairman Claus Weselsky said his union is prepared to make concessions on matters of substance but won’t fulfill Deutsche Bahn’s “pipe dream” of negotiating with only one union.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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