German railway drivers have announced an unexpected strike, the fourth of the year, with pay and working hours being the main points of contention. The choice was made in response to recent difficulties brought on by a lot of snow in southern Germany. The strike, which is scheduled to start today and extend until 10 p.m. tomorrow, is anticipated to have a major effect on the passenger services provided by Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s main train operator. Travelers could expect significant disruptions and cancellations, according to DB. The GDL union started the strike in response to unsuccessful pay and work-hour discussions with DB. The walkout will not only effect the services provided by Deutsche Bahn, but also those of other railway operators, such as the Transdev Group.

Commuter trains in cities like Hamburg and Berlin will be disrupted, and nationwide S-Bahn, regional, and long-distance train services will probably be delayed or cancelled. DB highlights that just a restricted basic service will be provided as part of the strike timeline. The GDL union is pushing for a 38-hour work week to be reduced to 35 hours without a pay decrease, but DB is opposing it, arguing that the demands are not feasible. In addition, the GDL is advocating for a one-time payment of up to €3,000 as well as an increase of €555 per month for workers in order to combat inflation; Deutsche Bahn has proposed an 11% boost.

DB is recommending passengers to refrain from making needless travel during the strike period in reaction to the walkout. In the event that a train is canceled, passengers can choose to advance their trip, reschedule it for a later time, cancel seat reservations for free, or receive a complete refund. Martin Seiler, the head of DB’s human resources, calls the strike “irresponsible and selfish,” and Claus Weselsky, the head of GDL, contends that DB’s refusal to shorten workdays is endangering the environmentally friendly railway.

GDL is now conducting a ballot among its members on full-fledged strikes as the strike progresses, and the results are anticipated to be released on December 19. GDL has declared that they will not strike again before January 7, 2024, despite the current state of unease. Considering that warning strikes are a regular strategy in German wage talks, there is a chance that there may be more strikes during the Christmas season. The fact that DB and the EVG union were able to resolve another conflict earlier this year serves as a warning that future settlements may be reached through negotiation.