German strike 'could be over by Christmas'

The worst rail dispute in German post-war history could finally be over by Christmas, a union leader behind the series of crippling strikes said yesterday. Manfred Schell, the head of the 34,000-member train drivers' union, the GDL, offered commuters meagre hope of a breakthrough as he prepared to meet managers of the state rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, today. "A compromise is on the way and the strike will be over by Christmas," he predicted.

The GDL, which paralysed the network last week with strikes lasting up to 62 hours, has been demanding a pay rise of up to 31 per cent. But Mr Schell said yesterday it was unlikely his union would turn down an offer of 10 per cent or more.

The walkouts, which crippled commuter and freight services and cost an estimated £53m in lost revenue, have prompted warnings that German unions could face Thatcher-style reforms if the drivers' action continues for much longer. Opinion polls suggest 64 that per cent of Germans oppose the strikes, but 33 per cent would be willing to pay higher fares to fund a pay rise.

Mr Schell's offer of peace by Christmas came after Deutsche Bahn said it would make a new offer to the union during their first face-to-face meeting in weeks today. Mr Schell said the rising pressure on Deutsche Bahn as well as the union to reach a deal would unavoidably mean a compromise had to be reached soon.