Berlin: Rail travellers in Germany face an entire weekend of disruptions, cancellations and delays after the train drivers` union on Friday called for a new nationwide strike.
The GDL union called on its members to walk out from 3:00 pm (1300 GMT) on Friday on freight services and from 2:00 am (0000 GMT) on Saturday on long-distance and regional passenger services.
The stoppages would last until 4:00 am (0200 GMT) on Monday, GDL said.
The union accused national rail operator Deutsche Bahn of stone-walling in ongoing pay talks.
GDL is calling for a five percent wage hike and a shorter working week of 37 hours and has complained that there had been no substantial negotiations with management so far on those demands.
The train drivers have already staged four walk-outs in recent weeks, the latest on Wednesday.
