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Frankfurt, Germany (AHN) – Germany’s rail system maybe disrupted if the train drivers’ union GDL commences with a planned strike on Wednesday. Should the group stop working rail freight transport and passenger transport could be affected.

The move is being spearheaded by the union in an effort to force small passenger-service companies to enter a national labor contract with higher pay for its 26,000 drivers.

GDL is demanding an overall pay agreement that would cover all drivers who work both for the main national railway operator, Deutsche Bahn, as well as private companies that operate some routes and in some case pay lower wages. Some of the companies pay their drivers up to 30 percent less than their colleagues employed by the national rail firm.

Germany’s rail system is critical to the region’s manufacturing and exports. Car companies in particular could be hard hit. Rail is the primary way vehicles move from their factories to Germany’s main car-export terminal at Bremerhaven.

German Chambers of Industry and Commerce boss Martin Wansleben voiced his concern on Saturday over the impact of an extended rail strike.

“Many industries depend on ‘just-in-time’ production,” he said.

“It would only take a few days for strikes in rail-freight transport to cause production disruptions because canceled train consignments can often not be immediately rerouted via road or domestic ship.”

Several small strikes have already occurred however this potential large-scale industrial action is an attempt to get national rail operator Deutsche Bahn and its private competitors to “put an offer on the table at last that can be the basis for talks,” GDL boss Claus Weselsky said.

According to GDL the 14-hour freight strike would begin at 8 pm (1900 GMT) Wednesday, while a six-hour passenger-service strike would begin Thursday at 4 am. The strike is slated to only occur in certain regions and non-union drivers will stay on the job. Even in its limited scope the ripple effect will be felt throughout the entire network.

Striking members of GDL however will receive pay from GDL while they do not work.

GDL represents 75 percent of the 26,000 employees. Last weekend after previous negotiations failed more than 90 percent of the members voted for the stoppage.

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