Deutsche Bahn takes legal action to halt renewed labour strike
Germany's state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn has applied for an injunction at Frankfurt's labour court in a bid to stop a renewed strike by train drivers' union GDL, the company said on Monday.
"Deutsche Bahn (DB) has criticized the GDL's actions in the strongest possible terms and has now filed a legal appeal to stop the strike," the company said.
"DB filed an urgent application for a temporary injunction with the Frankfurt am Main Labour Court this morning," it added.
On Sunday, the GDL called for a strike affecting long-distance, regional and freight transport for 24 hours.
In passenger transport, the strike is to begin on Tuesday at 2 am (0100 GMT) and last for 24 hours. The strike in freight transport is set to begin on Monday at 6 pm.
Deutsche Bahn criticized the "far too short lead time of only 22 hours," saying this is a "sheer imposition" for passengers.
It is the sixth strike in a months-long wage dispute between the state-owned rail operator and the GDL union and comes just days after the last industrial action.
The sticking point between the two continues to be the GDL's core demand for a reduction in weekly working hours for shift workers from 38 to 35, with full wage compensation.