BERLIN, Nov 15: European giants France and Germany were struggling with transport chaos on Thursday as rail unions shut down their national networks over pay claims and opposition to pension reforms.

Millions of French commuters were left stranded or forced to drive to work after unions at the state rail company and the Paris metro operator extended their action.

Just 150 of the usual 700 high-speed trains were running and commuter trains that did operate were packed with commuters. Roads into major French cities were choked with traffic.

Neighbouring Germany was grappling with the biggest strike in the history of its rail system as passenger train drivers joined freight drivers already on strike since Wednesday, heavily disrupting Europe’s biggest economy.

Only two-thirds of long-distance trains were running, most of them high-speed trains, and commuter services were hit even harder.

Some 40 per cent of freight services were affected across the country, with the capital Berlin and Hamburg, one of Europe’s biggest ports, bearing the brunt of the work stoppages. National rail operator Deutsche Bahn said the strike was costing it $73 million.

While the impact of the strikes was similar in Germany and France, the background to them was different.

The stoppages in France are a test of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to reform generous pension allowances for railworkers and other sectors.

As the transport strike took hold, workers from the national electric and gas utilities joined the action, students stepped up their two-week protest against a university reform law and civil servants prepared to walk off the job.

In contrast, the strikes in Germany were called by a single union representing train drivers who are demanding a 31-per cent pay rise and a separate contract from other rail workers who have already agreed a wage deal.

National rail operator Deutsche Bahn took out full-page newspaper advertisements accusing the GDL union of setting a dangerous precedent for an economy that is buoyant after several difficult years.

“You want any minority in this country that does not even represent three percent of the staff to be able to blackmail a company and an entire country with its own separate wage agreement,” the company said.

And, amid the heated words, there seemed little sign of an end to a dispute that has already dragged on for three months.

GDL warned Deutsche Bahn to improve the 10-per cent pay rise it has offered by Monday or face strikes until Christmas, but the rail operator said it would not be forced into “unconditional capitulation”.

Meanwhile, hopes of a breakthrough rose in France when Sarkozy agreed to a union proposal to hold three-way negotiations between the government, transport companies and unions.

“The conflict must end as soon as possible, in the interest of travellers,” said presidential spokesman David Martinon.

Concerns that France was headed toward a protracted strike and possible repeat of a 1995 showdown further eased when Labour Minister Xavier Bertrand offered to hold a new round of talks over a period of a month.—AFP