Trains, planes and public transit systems stood still across much of Germany on Monday as labour unions called a major one-day strike over salaries in an effort to win inflation-busting raises for their members.

The 24-hour walkout - one of the biggest in decades - also affected cargo transport, as workers at the country’s ports and waterways joined the strike. Many commuters opted to drive to work, causing some delays on the roads, while those who could worked from home.