German train strike is called off

The Verdi union is pushing for an 8% pay rise for its 1.3m members

German train drivers' union, GDL, says it will not strike on Monday after reaching an agreement with the railway operator Deutsche Bahn.

But rail services will still be affected. The union warned on Saturday that, even with a deal, there would not be enough time to adjust schedules.

Germany has been struck by a wave of industrial action as powerful unions push for sharp pay increases.

Berlin's public transport is being severely disrupted due to strikes.

The capital's transport operator, BVG, and the Verdi public sector union are divided over pay issues.

In a separate dispute, wage talks between the German government and Verdi ended on Friday with no agreement.

Verdi wants 8% pay rises for two million federal and local government staff, including public transport workers and kindergarten staff.

Up to 100,000 workers have held warning strikes in recent days, which have disrupted airports, theatres and hospitals.