Strike over pay paralyses rail and air travel in Germany

A man passes deserted railway platforms at the central station during a nationwide public transport strike in Munich (AP)

Trains, planes and public transit systems are at a standstill across much of Germany after unions called a one-day strike over salaries in an effort to win inflation-busting raises for their members.

The 24-hour walkout also affected cargo transport by rail and ship, as workers at the country’s ports and waterways joined the walkout.