(ANSA-AFP) - BERLIN, MAR 27 - Transport staff across Germany staged a major strike on Monday to push for wage hikes in the face of brisk inflation, bringing commuter lines to a halt in many cities. Workers at airports, ports, railways, buses and metro lines throughout much of Europe's top economy heeded a call by the Verdi and EVG unions for the 24-hour walkout. "A labour struggle that has no impact is toothless," Verdi boss Frank Werneke told public broadcaster Phoenix. He acknowledged the stoppage would inflict pain on many commuters and holidaymakers, "but better one day of strain with the prospect of reaching a wage agreement than weeks of industrial action".

Berlin's usually bustling central train station was mostly quiet on Monday morning, after the national railway cancelled long-distance and regional links across the country. (ANSA-AFP).