Rail travelers in Germany have to be very patient because the German Engine Drivers' Union is calling on its members to go on strike. In a strike vote, in which 70 percent took part, according to GdL 95 percent voted for the industrial action.

Since Tuesday, 19:00 p.m., the train drivers in the freight transport of Deutsche Bahn AG have been called to strike. On Wednesday at 2:00 a.m., the call to employees in the areas of passenger transport and infrastructure followed. The measure is to last until August 13, 2021, 2:00 a.m.

Union leader Claus Weselsky criticizes the fact that executives should receive high company pensions and at the same time they should be cut by around 50 euros per month for train drivers. According to him, the train drivers are only entitled to a company pension of 150 euros per month, for executives it should be up to 20.000 euros.

Deutsche Bahn AG reckons that many train connections will be canceled due to the strike. Since not all train drivers are organized in the GdL and there may also be strikebreakers, some connections can be offered. Nevertheless, travelers have to be very patient. Private railway companies are not affected by the industrial action and, provided the rails are not blocked, run according to plan. International connections can also be affected by the strike, as they may not come through Germany due to a lack of train drivers.