Millions of commuters are likely to expect traffic to stop in Germany on Monday. Rail transport, public transport and airports will strike at the federal level, both the service provider union Verdi and the rail and transport workers union EVG have announced, Deutsche Welle reports.

The conflict over tariffs at Deutsche Bahn railways and public services risks turning into the biggest strike that has taken place in Germany in recent years, DW notes.

The strike paralyzes rail transport, almost all airports, waterways, German ports and highways.

Railway traffic is completely suspended

German railway company Deutsche Bahn announced that it was forced to completely suspend intercity rail services on Monday due to a warning strike, as there was no way to organize a contingency plan.

“There’s no point in short-circuiting an Intercity or ICE train because we have a train conductor, but the train is stuck in who knows where because the workers are on strike,” said a spokesman for the concern. in Berlin

Therefore, it is better that the trains remain at the depot on Monday, he added.

“It is not possible to make an alternative train schedule for such a day, as many trade groups are calling for a strike,” explained a Deutsche Bahn representative.

And in regional and city rail connections, “trains will run only in exceptional cases,” the company said.

The fight for higher wages will also affect a large part of the airports.

Verdi is negotiating on behalf of approximately 2.5 million public service workers, including public transport and airport workers. The trade union demands a salary increase of 10.5%, a minimum of 500 euros per month. EVG, in turn, is negotiating with the employer on behalf of 230,000 employees in 50 rail and public transport companies and is pushing for a 12% pay rise, at least €650 more per month.

The offers from Deutsche Bahn and other employers include a five percent wage increase and one-off payments of a maximum of 2,500 euros. The social partners blame each other for the failure of the salary negotiations that took place in February and March, writes DW with reference to DPA and AFP.