German rail strikes cause "massive" disruptions

BERLIN, July 3 (Reuters) German rail workers extended strikes over pay today, causing what operator Deutsche Bahn said were ''massive'' disruptions for early morning commuters in big cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.

The GDL union representing train drivers joined strike efforts by two other unions that had started yesterday, causing passenger and goods traffic to grind to a halt in a rare stoppage for Germany's traditionally efficient rail network.

After brief 2-3 hour stoppages to begin the week, the strikes were widened to include the S-Bahn innercity metro system in Berlin, Germany's largest city, and the rail operator's lucrative national freight transport system.

''Since 0830 hrs IST tens of thousands of commuters across Germany are affected,'' said Deutsche Bahn, which had set up a special hotline to update passengers on the disruptions.

A spokeswoman for the GDL union spoke of a complete standstill in major German cities, including Hanover and Dresden. ''Nothing is working,'' she said.

The regional stoppages were expected to last until 1230 hrs IST The underground, trams and bus systems continued to operate.

The Transnet and GDBA unions, which represent 134,000 rail workers, are demanding a seven percent pay rise. Deutsche Bahn has countered with an offer of two per cent raises in 2008 and 2009 and a one-off payment of 300 euros.

The two sides failed to narrow their differences in talks on Saturday when a moratorium on staging strikes expired.

The smaller GDL group representing drivers wants a separate deal and is demanding raises of up to 31 per cent.

Government-owned Deutsche Bahn has said 9,000 jobs would be put at risk if the company met the wage demands of the unions.

Reuters GL DS1255