Strike stops passenger trains in Germany FRANKFURT, Germany, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Deutsche Bahn, which operates Germany's passenger trains, was hit by a four-day work stoppage Thursday morning, the longest strike in the company's history. The 34,000-member GDL union began the 100-hour strike of train drivers, switch-yard operators and conductors after failing to achieve a five percent pay raise and a shorter work week. The union rejected the company's arbitration offer late Wednesday. The stoppage comes as Germany prepares not only for typical commuter trips, but for events this weekend including Bundesliga soccer matches across the country and a celebration in Berlin, expected to attract two million people, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Deutsche Bahn predicted "massive disturbances for travelers" and sought an injunction Thursday in a Frankfurt court to delay the work stoppage, citing the walkout could cause "severe damage" to the company and the German economy. We want to leave nothing undone and have decided with a heavy heart to now take legal steps against this strike. We are aware that the judges in the past often decided against the employer. We are accepting that risk," said Ulrich Weber, Deutsche Bahn personnel director, in a statement. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, citing the fragile German economy, commented, "I can only call on the recognition of responsibility to find a solution that can cause as little damage as possible to our country in exercising the right to strike." The GDL union faces competition from a larger, rival union, EVG, as well as suggestions from the German government the role of small labor groups will be curbed in future wage negotiations. Proposed legislation will insist that wage issues be settled by the largest union in each sector of employees, and will provide courts with more power to intervene in work stoppages.