German train drivers have announced their ninth strike in 10 months due to an ongoing dispute with rail operator Deutsche Bahn.<br /><br /> Freight trains shut down at 3pm on Tuesday (May 19) with passenger trains stopping from 2pm Wednesday.<br /><br /> The GDL union, representing 20,000 drivers, has not given a date for when the strike will end but says it will give 48 hours notice.<br /><br /> In Germany 5.5 million people travel by train every day and 620,000 tonnes of freight is moved.<br /><br /> The economic cost to Germany could be as much as 100 million euros for each day the strike lasts.<br /><br /> The union want to secure a 5 percent pay rise for its members and a shorter working week. It also wants the right to represent other rail workers such as train stewards.<br /><br /> Deutsche Bahn, with 200,000 employees, has offered a 4.7 percent pay rise plus a one-off payment of 1,000 euros but refuses to negotiate for other workers.
