Public sector strikes paralyze transport in parts of Germany

There were several strikes in the transport sector in western and southern parts of Germany on Monday, as a wave of public sector walkouts hits the country, reported dpa.

Cities in the western regions of the Rhineland and the Ruhr area are affected, as well as Augsburg, a city outside Munich in the south.

In the national labour dispute, Germany's biggest trade union Verdi is demanding 10.5% more pay, or at least €500 more per month, for some 2.5 million federal and local government employees.

The employers are offering a gradual 5% increase over a two-year period, as well as a one-off payment of €2,500.

"All buses and trains of the KVB are at a standstill," said a spokesperson for the Verdi trade union, referring to the Cologne transport company.

"Strike is going smoothly," said Verdi in Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf's bus and train service, Rheinbahn, said the entire network was affected, including transport in and out of cities in the region.

Strikes in the western cities of Essen and Oberhausen have also started as planned, said a Verdi spokesperson in Essen.

The strikes in the north-west of the country are set to continue on Tuesday.

Further south, local transport in the city of Augsburg also came to a standstill. Only a few trams and buses were running in the morning, according to a spokesperson for the Augsburg public utility company.

The third round of negotiations is scheduled for the end of March.