German rail workers union announces 50-hrs strike
BERLIN, May 11: A German labour union is calling for railway workers to stage a 50-hour strike early next week to bolster its calls for an inflation-related pay raise. The EVG rail workers union called for its 230,000 members to walk off the job from 10 p.m. on Sunday evening until midnight on Tuesday. The walkout will affect around 50 companies that provide rail services. Pay negotiations between EVG and German railway companies have been underway since February. EVG is seeking a raise of 12 per cent for its members. This longer strike “increases the pressure significantly, because the employers leave us no other choice,” said Kristian Loroch, EVG’s lead negotiator.Deutsche Bahn personnel chief Martin Seiler called the strike “completely unreasonable.” (AP)
Woman struck by cops vehicle escorting UK royal
LONDON, May 11: A woman in her 80s was in critical condition after being hit by a police motorcycle that was escorting Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, British police said Thursday. The Metropolitan Police said the motorcycle collided with a pedestrian on Wednesday afternoon at an intersection in west London. Sophie, known as the Duchess of Edinburgh, said her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the injured lady and her family,” according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. The statement added that Sophie was “grateful for the swift response by the emergency services.” It said further comment would be inappropriate. (AP)
