In the collective bargaining dispute over an independent locomotive engineers’ agreement at Saarbahn, the GDL is continuing its rolling strike. From Tuesday, 11 August, 7 a.m., trains on the Lebach–Sarreguemines line will come to a standstill – with no end in sight. A strike notice has also already been issued for Wednesday.
Quick overview
This report is primarily relevant for rail passengers, as it may have concrete effects on planning, connections or infrastructure. The focus is on Saarbahn, GDL, warning strike, collective bargaining dispute, Saarbrücken and local public transport. The key points are summarised concisely below.
Key points
- GDL warning strike at Saarbahn from Tuesday, 11 August, 7 a.m. – end open
- The entire section between Lebach and Sarreguemines is affected
- According to the GDL, a strike notice for Wednesday has already been sent to the management
- Replacement buses are expected to compensate for some of the cancelled Saarbahn services; an emergency timetable is available online
- The dispute centres on a separate collective agreement for the around 80 locomotive engineers; Saarbahn and KAV continue to reject this
What this means for travelers
If you are travelling in the affected period, you should re-check connections shortly before departure, allow more time for transfers and keep flexible alternatives ready. In particular, international journeys can quickly lead to longer knock-on problems due to missed connections.
Context
The collective bargaining dispute at Saarbahn, which has been simmering for weeks, is escalating further. The GDL is fighting for an independent collective agreement for the around 80 locomotive engineers, while the company and the Kommunaler Arbeitgeberverband Saar (KAV) are sticking to the existing overall agreement negotiated with Verdi. Both sides accuse each other of blocking: the GDL criticises that locomotive engineers ready for duty were not allowed to return to work after the last strike ended on 7 August; KAV and the Saarbahn management see the short-notice strike announcements as a “wearing-down tactic”. GDL district leader Nico Rebenack does not rule out further stoppages over a longer period.
What to watch now
- Check your connection on the day of travel in the rail operator’s app.
- For important appointments, choose an earlier connection or an alternative route.
- Keep receipts and delay information for any possible refunds.