All trains stopped is today in Germany due to the new national mobilizations carried out by the railway workers demanding wage increases.

Due to the strike, German rail operator Deutsche Bahn “decided to suspend services” given the lack of staff, company spokesman Achim Strauss explained, speaking from Berlin’s nearly empty central station.

More than 15,000 workers at 50 companies in the sector responded to the strike call, according to the EVG rail union, which represents 230,000 workers.

The warning strike, expected to last until 13:00 (local time, 14:00 Greek time), is aimed at “increasing the pressure on employers” while the union is in talks for wage increases, Cosima Ingesau and Christian Loroch, two EVG officials for these negotiations.

The union is calling for a 12% pay rise and at least €650 over 12 months to counter the effects of inflation on rail workers’ purchasing power.

This strike is “useless”, estimated Strauss, as negotiations are ongoing.

Train traffic problems are expected to continue even after the strike ends, Deutsche Bahn warned in a statement.

The previous rail strike on March 27 had paralyzed transport, including airports, for 24 hours. This strike had taken place following a call by EVG and the Verdi trade union, which represents approximately 2.5 million public sector workers.

Verdi is also in discussions with the federal government for several weeks. These are expected to be repeated tomorrow Saturday with the aim of reaching an agreement on wages.

Strikes by workers have increased in recent months in Germany – from workers in schools, hospitals to those in the post office going on strike.

Inflation in the country reached 7.4% in March on an annual basis, while food prices have increased by 22.3%.