Berlin, Aug 30 (AP) A labour union representing German train drivers said Monday that its members will launch a third strike this week in an escalating pay dispute with the country's biggest rail company.

The GDL union said freight train drivers will walk out on Wednesday evening, followed by passenger train drivers early Thursday.

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The strike is due to last until 2 a.m. on Sept. 7, making it the longest in the current round of labour negotiations.

The union wants state-owned Deutsche Bahn to give drivers and other rail staff a 3.2 per cent salary increase and a one-time “coronavirus bonus” of 600 euros (USD 700). It has rejected the company's offers to date.

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The strike will affect traveller returning from summer vacation in several German states. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)