This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6938229.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
German train drivers in walkout German train drivers in walkout
(about 5 hours later)
German train drivers have staged brief walkouts in two cities in an escalation of their pay dispute with state operator Deutsche Bahn.German train drivers have staged brief walkouts in two cities in an escalation of their pay dispute with state operator Deutsche Bahn.
Drivers from the GDL union stopped work for two hours in Berlin and Hamburg, affecting commuter services.Drivers from the GDL union stopped work for two hours in Berlin and Hamburg, affecting commuter services.
Deutsche Bahn has secured an injunction against strikes on commuter services outside Berlin and Hamburg as well as long-distance and freight services.Deutsche Bahn has secured an injunction against strikes on commuter services outside Berlin and Hamburg as well as long-distance and freight services.
GDL says its members are underpaid and is seeking a 31% pay rise for staff.GDL says its members are underpaid and is seeking a 31% pay rise for staff.
However, GDL said it would not hold any further strikes until it had concluded the first round of talks with Deutsche Bahn.
GDL and Deutsche Bahn have agreed to use mediators to try and find a solution that would avoid continuing industrial action.
"We will not call further strikes now. That would be counterproductive in this situation," a GDL spokesman said.
'Clear signal''Clear signal'
Wednesday's court ruling, blocking strike action on the grounds of the economic damage it would cause, did not cover regional services in Berlin and Hamburg.Wednesday's court ruling, blocking strike action on the grounds of the economic damage it would cause, did not cover regional services in Berlin and Hamburg.
The drivers' patience is at an end Claus Weselsky, GDL deputy chairmanThe drivers' patience is at an end Claus Weselsky, GDL deputy chairman
The GDL union is still appealing against the injunction but has insisted its members would not take part in illegal action.The GDL union is still appealing against the injunction but has insisted its members would not take part in illegal action.
"This is the measure that is available to us", said Claus Weselsky, GDL's deputy chairman."This is the measure that is available to us", said Claus Weselsky, GDL's deputy chairman.
Mr Weselsky said his members were angered that the firm had sought an injunction without seeking first to negotiate.Mr Weselsky said his members were angered that the firm had sought an injunction without seeking first to negotiate.
"We want to send a clear signal. The drivers' patience is at an end.""We want to send a clear signal. The drivers' patience is at an end."
GDL says its members are paid 1,500 euros (£1,015) a month and should benefit more from the recovery of the German economy, which has boosted freight and passenger traffic.GDL says its members are paid 1,500 euros (£1,015) a month and should benefit more from the recovery of the German economy, which has boosted freight and passenger traffic.
Deutsche Bahn has agreed a pay deal with two other unions which will see workers receive a 4.5% rise in wages.Deutsche Bahn has agreed a pay deal with two other unions which will see workers receive a 4.5% rise in wages.
Privatisation planPrivatisation plan
Deutsche Bahn, which carries more than five million passengers a day, has said it hopes to restart negotiations as soon as possible.Deutsche Bahn, which carries more than five million passengers a day, has said it hopes to restart negotiations as soon as possible.
Both sides have said they will consider outside mediation to end the dispute.Both sides have said they will consider outside mediation to end the dispute.
Economists say the impact of a short dispute would be limitedEconomists say the impact of a short dispute would be limited
Business groups have said repeated strikes could cause "immense" damage to the economy at the height of the holiday season.Business groups have said repeated strikes could cause "immense" damage to the economy at the height of the holiday season.
However, one analyst said the likely impact on productivity would be limited since the railways only carried a fraction of the amount of freight transported by road.However, one analyst said the likely impact on productivity would be limited since the railways only carried a fraction of the amount of freight transported by road.
"Provided that the strike is resolved within a week or two, we would not expect it to knock any more than 0.1% off German GDP this year," said Jennifer McKeown, european economist at Capital Economics. "Provided that the strike is resolved within a week or two, we would not expect it to knock any more than 0.1% off German GDP this year," said Jennifer McKeown, European economist at Capital Economics.
Prolonged strike action could also threaten plans to part-privatise Deutsche Bahn next year.Prolonged strike action could also threaten plans to part-privatise Deutsche Bahn next year.
Unions have expressed concerns at the plan, approved by ministers last month, to sell off a stake of up to 25% to private investors.Unions have expressed concerns at the plan, approved by ministers last month, to sell off a stake of up to 25% to private investors.