A renewed strike by the German train drivers' union GDL later this week will have a "massive impact" on operations, said state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
Deutsche Bahn's head of human resources, Martin Seiler, also criticized the GDL union's announcement on Monday that it would no longer provide at least 48 hours' notice of further strikes.
"These so-called wave strikes are a sheer imposition for our passengers."
Because the train drivers' union is not getting its maximum demands, it is striking again, said Seiler. "That's stubborn and selfish. Many millions of people in our country cannot travel by train because the GDL leadership is unwilling to compromise."
The railway is still prepared to find constructive but realistic solutions, he said. However, he added, the GDL's maximum demands are unrealizable and pose a considerable threat to the railway system.
The GDL has announced that it will strike in passenger transport from 2 am (0100 GMT) on Thursday until 1 pm (1200 GMT) on Friday. In freight transport, the strike is to begin on Wednesday.
