Austria faces total rail strike

The union does not want to see the Austrian network broken up

Austria's train network could grind to a halt after the main rail union called for a complete strike.

The country's railworkers' union has said it will begin an unlimited strike from 2300 GMT on Tuesday.

Its move follows the decision of the right-wing government to reform the national rail service to save one billion euros ($1.15bn; £690m) a year.

The union says the split into four parts would result in fewer pay rises and higher overall costs.

Privatisation

We are calling for the government's plan, which harms the status of personnel to be withdrawn Spokesman for the rail union

Its nationwide strike has also been fuelled by fears that the reform is the first step towards a privatisation of the industry.

A spokesman for the railway worker's union's said: "We are calling for the government's plan, which harms the status of personnel, to be withdrawn."

Austria's ruling Conservative party wants to save the one billion euro by 2010, and Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel insists the reforms are necessary for the survival of OeBB, the state-owned rail company.

Its plans, adopted during a cabinet meeting, will see OeBB, broken up into four separate businesses responsible for building infrastructure, maintenance and management, passenger transportation and freight operations respectively.

Higher costs

The union has opposed the plans for some time. It says the reforms will actually result in higher costs, because four new companies would have responsibility for Austria's rail infrastructure.

The proposal has also sparked opposition from the opposition Social Democrat Party and the Greens, whose leaders have expressed solidarity with the rail workers.

Wolfgang Schuessel insists the railway reforms are vital

In addition, the country's principal auditing bureau has described the one billion euro savings goal as "unrealistic."

The union already has given Austrians a taste of what the strike could be like, after it held a 12-hour 'warning' walkout last week, following the collapse of negotiations with the government on the issue.

Unlimited strike

A total of 1,900 passenger, 2,100 cargo and 30 postal trains were affected, according to OeBB.

The union says the unlimited strike will be unprecedented in Austrian post-war history, and predicts that it will mark "a first in the history of the second Austrian republic".

National strikes are rare in Austria due to a long standing practice of conciliation between unions, management and public authorities.