Strike halts public transport in German city of Berlin

Workers of Berlin’s main public transport company BVG have gone on strike to demand higher salaries, bringing the German capital’s underground railway, tram and bus services to a standstill.

Some 5,000 workers are taking part in the Saturday strike, which will affect nearly two-million commuters, including tourists attending the Berlin Film Festival.

The Verdi labour union representing BVG workers has threatened more strikes if talks for a pay rise with the company’s management fail on Monday.

The mass walkout comes after a two-day similar strike by apron controllers at Frankfurt airport grounded hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

Germany’s GdF labor union called for strikes after Fraport, the company which owns and operates the airport, turned down mediation proposals in their dispute.

German flagship carrier Deutsche Lufthansa said it had cancelled 100 flights out of a total 316 taking off or landing on Thursday.