German train strike keeps me from German class!

I have to thank the union of railroad workers in Germany for being on strike today. I wasn't able to get to Stuttgart from Gmund and took the day off from my intensive German class! What fun! Maybe the strike will effect traffic all week!

This strike is effecting all passenger trains, including Sbahn systems in German cities. People want higher wages. It turns out that Sbahn drivers in Stuttgart make 1400Euros per month after taxes. That's about $1900. It's not a lot of money given the responsibility.

Wages here are completely tied to a person's educational achievements. Diplomas and certificates mean everything to Germans. Without them, you are qualified for nothing and earn less than that. I still have very little idea how much people earn here. Lately, I've been trying to find out how much freelance fundraisers make because I may have some possibilities opening up in this area here.