Berlin ? Train drivers staged a two-hour strike Thursday against the Berlin and Hamburg commuter networks, then called off further walkouts after mediators were appointed to seek an end to the bitter pay dispute.

The GDL union, representing the drivers, will refrain from further stoppages amid hopes for mediated talks next week with the Deutsche Bahn rail operator, spokesman Maik Brandenburg said.

GDL is seeking a pay increase of up to 31 percent for its members, and has rejected a 4.5 percent raise that railway operator Deutsche Bahn AG agreed to last month in talks with two other unions representing rail employees.