STRIKES paralysed the rail network across Germany today as train drivers with the GDL union staged a 24-hour walkout.

Main operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) advised passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary, with 80 per cent of its long-distance services cancelled. A number of other operators are also affected.

Negotiations between GDL and the operator have broken down after two rounds of talks. Limited “warning strikes” are a common tactic in German pay negotiations, and the walkout follows a 20-hour strike on November 16.

GDL wants drivers’ hours reduced to 35 per week, as well as a monthly raise and a €3,000 one-off payment for the cost-of-living crisis, with Germany among countries worst impacted by inflation since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to its heavy reliance on Russian energy.

DB says it has tabled an offer worth 11 per cent. Its human resources chief Martin Seiler said drivers were “irresponsible and selfish” for walking out.

But GDL chairman Claus Weselsky said rail bosses faced a struggle to recruit and the demands were reasonable.

By “torpedoing urgently needed measures for staff recruitment” DB was “jeopardising the future of the most climate-friendly means of transport — the railway.”

Germany is among European countries seeking to encourage greater railway use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from more polluting road and air transport.

A study of a three-month trial €9 (£7.70) unlimited travel ticket last year estimated it reduced CO2 emissions by 1.8 million tons. This year, a €49 unlimited travel ticket has been introduced.