German Industry Leaders Rap 3rd Strike By Railway Workers

Leaders of German industry expressed sharp criticism of the rolling strikes hitting the country's rail services, as the third round went into effect late on Wednesday, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

Photo Insert: German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed the wish that a "durable solution for all sides will be found soon," speaking through her spokesman, Steffen Seibert, in Berlin.

The government was also appealing to those involved in the wage negotiations to reduce the negative effects on passengers in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, Seibert said, expressing concern regarding overcrowded services.

Yet, he rejected calls for the government to get involved in the talks on wages and conditions between state-owned Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the GDL drivers' union. The strike was set to hit the steel, automotive, machinery, chemical, and petroleum sectors particularly hard.

Companies that produce on a just-in-time basis, many in the key automotive sector, were likely to be affected.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) described the strike as disproportionate and irresponsible, coming as the German economy was recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

BDI head Siegfried Russwurm predicted that production would be affected in many sectors. The Chemical Industries Association (VCI) said the strike was causing disruption and a rise in costs, with producers and customers working out short-term solutions with logistics providers.

The sector relies heavily on the rail for the transport of its bulk goods.

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