German train workers threaten strikes over lack of action over attacks

Germany's train worker union on Sunday threatened to call nationwide strikes from January if the government fails to tighten sentences for attacks on train crew.

Martin Burkert, head of the EVG union, told the Sunday edition of the Bild tabloid that regional services would be brought "to a standstill in January" if a promised law on tougher penalties is not introduced in parliament this year.

German train workers have been calling for enhanced security since a conductor died after being attacked by a passenger in February.

“A train conductor was killed while on duty six months ago, and while politicians looked concerned and made grand statements, they took no action," Burkert said.

"The government is refusing to act, and railway workers are paying the price with their health or even their lives.

"The politicians have forgotten Serkan. We haven’t," the union boss said, referring to the killed conductor Serkan Çalar, who was attacked by a passenger on a regional train and sustained fatal injuries.

The perpetrator has since been sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault resulting in death.

A new law aimed at amending the Criminal Code to enhance security for train staff is currently undergoing internal government consultation, a spokesman for the Transport Ministry told dpa.

The government aims for the legislation to be passed this year, he said.