Germany’s train drivers’ union GDL has triggered the next phase of its “September waves” industrial action, issuing a fresh notice on 19 September 2026 that targets regional operators across Saarland and neighbouring states. The strike plan, published at 16:00 and valid for 48 hours, affects Deutsche Bahn subsidiaries and several urban tram-train services. Long-distance ICE services are not formally included but will face cascading delays due to train and crew displacement. GDL is demanding a 6 % pay rise and reduced weekly hours for shift workers. Negotiations stalled earlier in the week after DB’s latest offer of a staggered 4 % increase. The union’s strategy of shorter, rolling walk-outs is designed to maximise disruption while limiting wage deductions for members. In August it announced that September would see “continuous but unpredictable” strikes unless progress is made. For corporate mobility planners the timing is awkward: Messe München’s Smart Logistics Expo opens today and relies heavily on rail links from western Germany. TMCs report that last-minute domestic flight bookings have spiked 35 % compared with last Friday, pushing up fares on Lufthansa and Eurowings. Rental-car shortages are already evident at Frankfurt and Stuttgart airports. Employers should activate contingency plans that allow remote participation or overnight hotel stays, factor in EU Passenger Rights Regulation 1371/2007 when compensating staff, and remind travellers that DB’s flexible tickets and seat reservations can be re-routed through unaffected corridors such as Cologne–Hamburg. GDL’s executive committee meets again on 22 September; failure to reach an accord could see action spread to long-distance services next week.
