(ANSA-AFP) - VIENNA, NOV 28 - Trains across Austria ground to
a halt Monday as rail workers went on a 24-hour strike to demand
higher pay. Usually bustling train stations were left deserted
with about a million travellers left stranded. "The railway
union vida is on strike today from 00:00 to 24:00. For this
reason, no trains can run all day throughout Austria and across
borders," rail operator OeBB wrote on its website. Vida said
that negotiations to increase the salary of 50,000 railway
workers had failed, accusing employers of "mocking" employees
with a "bogus offer". Vida wants salaries to increase by 400
euros ($415) -- instead of the 208 euros offered -- to cushion
the effects of surging inflation, which stood at 11 percent year
on year in October. Night train workers earn from 1,356 euros
net per month, according to the union. Strikes are rare in
Austria. (ANSA-AFP).
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