VOA标准英语2014--德国铁路罢工恐影响柏林围墙倒下纪念活动

 

German Rail Strike to Affect Berlin Anniversary Celebrations 德国铁路罢工恐影响柏林围墙倒下纪念活动

Germany's capital is gearing up for the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this weekend, but some people may not be able to make it to the celebrations because of a four-day strike by train drivers.

The work stoppage affects not only long-distance and regional rail services, but also the local networks. 

The strike began with freight services on Wednesday, and added passenger trains on Thursday. The train drivers are demanding a 5 percent wage increase and a shorter work week.

Some people support the drivers, despite the inconvenience.

"I am a student and I have to go to Potsdam for my course, and now I've been waiting for two hours," said student Gloria Menner. "The trains do not run at all or are very irregular. Of course, this is very annoying, but I also understand why people are on strike."

Others say it's too much. The strike will hit Germany's capital at the time it is commemorating¹ the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

Key event leading to reunification

The breaching² of the 28-year-old barrier on November 9, 1989, was a key event leading to German reunification the following year. 

"It's unthinkable that the strike continues through the 25th anniversary (of the Berlin Wall falling) on Sunday. It is a special day and it is not the right time for the union to show off," said Georg Kempinskie of Halle. "There are a lot of opportunities to express their problems, but it shouldn't be at such an important time."

The union is accusing the train operator, Deutsche Bahn, of stonewalling in the negotiations³, but railway officials say they have done their best to prevent the disruption of train services during the celebrations.

"We offered a compromise to the train drivers once again yesterday. We have learned with deep regret that the union has refused our conciliatory offer and called for a strike, which has become the longest ever in the history of Deutsche Bahn," said Achim Stauss, a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson.

"This strike is worrying, among other reasons because the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, for which we are expecting visitors from all around the world who are coming to celebrate," Stauss said.

Some Germans are not worried.

"Well, the consequences won't be earth-shattering. I had to cancel a trip with a friend to Hamburg, but I will go next week. And as for marking the fall of the Berlin Wall - it will still be well celebrated," said Bernd Kunkel, a traveler.

The strike also is hurting German industry, which sends one-fifth of its shipments by rail. 

The scale of the problem has prompted German Chancellor⁴ Angela Merkel to call on both sides to negotiate with a mediator⁵.

The strike is scheduled to end Monday morning. 

1 commemorating   

v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements. 他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The post office issued a series commemorating famous American entertainers. 邮局发行了一个纪念美国著名演艺人员的系列邮票。 来自互联网

2 breaching   

攻破( breach的过去式 )； 破坏，违反

参考例句：

• The company was prosecuted for breaching the Health and Safety Act. 这家公司被控违反《卫生安全条例》。
• Third, an agency can abuse its discretion by breaching certain principles of judge-made law. 第三，行政机关会因违反某些法官制定的法律原则而构成滥用自由裁量权。

3 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

4 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

5 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。