Train drivers at Germany's national railway have started a two-day strike after their union rejected a new pay offer in a bitter dispute complicated by rivalry between unions, according to AP.
The GDL union called members out on strike from early Saturday morning until early Monday morning, its second walkout this week.
GDL wants a 5 percent pay increase and shorter working hours. A bigger sticking point is its demand to negotiate for other staff traditionally represented by a rival union.
National railway Deutsche Bahn says it offered a raise of 5 percent over 30 months on Friday for the drivers but won't accept rival pay deals for other employees. GDL rejected what it called a 'sham offer.'
Deutsche Bahn aimed to operate 30 percent of scheduled long-distance trains.