DHAKA: German rail travel was paralyzed on Wednesday by an open-ended strike, the ninth stoppage in less than a year, as the government prepares a law to stop small unions from bringing entire sectors to a standstill.

Railways operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) said it cancelled two-thirds of long-distance passenger services on Wednesday as train drivers staged a new walk-out that was expected to last more than a week.

The strike, the latest flare-up in a protracted and increasingly bitter dispute, had begun on Tuesday, initially affecting freight services, but was extended to passenger services from 0000 GMT on Wednesday.

Drivers’ union GdL has not said how long the strike would last, only that it would be longer than the six-day industrial action at the start of May.

It has said it would give 48 hours’ notice when the strike will end, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1741 HRS, MAY 20, 2015
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