The head of Germany's largest industrial workers' union says strikes could escalate if a new labor agreement is not reached by noon Saturday, as the union renews its push for an optional 28-hour week and a 6 percent raise. Hofmann said that if no deal is reached workers could start 24-hour strikes at targeted companies. So far, job actions have been limited to warning strikes of a few hours. The demand for a shorter work week also includes extra pay to partly even out lost income for those who reduce their working hours to care for small children or a family member. Employers have balked at the idea of the extra pay to compensate for shorter hours, saying people who work less should get paid less.

Source: ABC News January 26, 2018 14:21 UTC