Just before the nationwide warning strikes in the public transport system, the Union issued a warning about the economic fallout and called on the unions to adopt a more measured approach. “The ongoing strikes are not only heavily irritating the public, they are increasingly burdening the German economy” said Christoph Ploß, the Federal Transport Expert for the Bundestag’s faction, speaking to the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition). Ploß noted that the main victims are “millions of citizens who rely on public local transport”. He urged the unions to keep the social consequences in view and to act “moderately”. The Verdi union has called for warning strikes at the end of the week as part of the current collective‑agreement dispute; in most regions it plans to halt bus and train services on both Friday and Saturday.