German Railway Unions Authorise Strikes Together with air Pilots

Germany's 12,000 unionized railway workers voted 96 per cent to strike against Deutsche Bahn while pilots for the low-cost airline LTU also voted to strike for higher pay, reported The Associated Press.

Manfred Schell, leader of the GDL rail union, said he expected the strike would start on with freight movement before affecting passenger services, though he promised 24 hours' notice.

Deutsche Bahn personnel chief Margaret Suckale said there were no plans to change the company's position.

The pilots' union, Cockpit, also said that it would organize more strikes at LTU after 96 per cent of its members voted in favour. Earlier, pilots with LTU and a rival Dba, staged a two-hour warning strike that delayed flights.

The pilots want a new collective bargaining agreement after their previous deal was annulled by the companies. LTU is being courted by Air Berlin, which bought Dba last year.