Week of public sector strikes starts in Germany

Berlin - Workers at a university clinic in the western German city of Essen walked off the job on Monday, the first act in a series of public sector labour stoppages that are set to spread across the country this week due to a labour dispute.

About 200 workers were expected to walk off the job in Essen, reported a strike organiser. However, labour union ver.di said it would ensure that enough workers remained available for medical emergencies.

The strikes are expected to spread Tuesday when about 200 000 teachers across the country are due to go on strike. It is not clear what impact the labour stoppage will have, since the 650 000 teachers nationwide who have civil servant status are not allowed to strike.