Deutsche Bahn vs EVG: Longest warning strike in current wage dispute with massive consequences for train traffic

According to its own statements, Deutsche Bahn has submitted a corresponding urgent application. The labor court in Frankfurt am Main wants to hear about it at noon. The warning strike is scheduled to last from 10 p.m. on Sunday to midnight on Tuesday evening. At 50 hours, this forthcoming third warning strike is the longest in the current wage dispute. Accordingly, DB long-distance traffic will be completely discontinued, “local traffic will be severely affected nationwide,” announces the railway.

Train operators: Train passengers should refrain from traveling by train

The warning strike will, assuming the court rejects the urgent application, also on the connections of the regional trains erixx, Start, Northwest Railway, The song, yet and metronome in Lower Saxony because the signal boxes will be affected. The entire S-Bahn traffic in the HVV with connections to Buxtehude and Stade will also be massively affected. The operators therefore advise: train passengers should completely avoid journeys from Sunday evening to Tuesday.

These routes are affected

Deutsche Bahn train connections

• RE 1 (Nordddeich(Mole) – Bremen Hbf – Hannover Hbf): The last trains to pass through are the RE 4427 from Hanover at 5.20 p.m. and the RE 4431 from Norddeich at 4.41 p.m.
• RE 8 (Bremerhaven-Lehe – Hannover Hbf): The last passing trains are the RE 4428 from Hanover at 6:20 p.m. and the RE 4433 from Bremerhaven-Lehe at 7:23 p.m.
• RE 9 (Osnabrück Hbf – (Bremen Hbf) – Bremerhaven-Lehe): The last passing trains are the RE 4465 from Bremen at 7:07 p.m. and the RE 4464 at 7:29 p.m.
• RB 40 (Braunschweig Hbf – Helmstedt): Last through train from Braunschweig Hbf to Helmstedt is RB 16439 at 9:12 p.m. from Braunschweig Hbf. Last through train from Helmstedt to Braunschweig Hbf is RB 16432 at 9:13 p.m. from Helmstedt.
• RB 44 (Brunswick – Salzgitter-Lebenstedt): The last trains to pass through are the RB 14393 from Salzgitter Lebenstedt at 9.15 p.m. and the RB 14390 from Braunschweig Hbf at 8.19 p.m.
• RB 45 (Braunschweig Hbf – Schöppenstedt): The last passing trains are the RB 14250 from Schöppenstedt at 8.34 p.m. and the RB 14251 from Braunschweig at 8.57 p.m.
• RB 46 (Braunschweig Hbf – Herzberg (Harz)): The last passing trains are the RB 14331 from Braunschweig at 8:05 p.m. and the RB 14332 from Herzberg at 7:34 p.m.
• RB 48 (Brunswick – Salzgitter-Lebenstedt): This line does not operate on weekends.
• RB 80/81 (Göttingen/Bodenfelde – Nordhausen): The last passing trains are the RB 14020 from Nordhausen at 6.39 p.m. and the RB 14025 from Göttingen at 7.49 p.m. as well as the RB 14174 from Nordhausen at 5.39 p.m. and the 14175 from Bodenfelde at 7.04 p.m.
• RB 82 (Göttingen – Kreiensen – Bad Harzburg): The last passing trains are the RB 14133 from Göttingen at 6.48 p.m. and the RB 14134 from Bad Harzburg at 8.22 p.m.
• RB 86 (Einbeck Mitte – Göttingen): The last passing trains are the RB 14096 from Einbeck Mitte at 9:13 p.m. and the RB 14193 from Einbeck-Salzderhelden at 8:35 p.m.
• RE 5 (Cuxhaven – Hamburg Hbf): A replacement service with buses is being planned. Further information follows.
• RB 37 (Bremen – Soltau – Uelzen): Last through train from Bremen Hbf to Uelzen is RB 16365 at 6:46 p.m. from Bremen Hbf. Last through train from Uelzen to Bremen Hbf is RB 16364 at 7:07 p.m. from Uelzen.
• RB 38 (Hanover – Soltau – Buchholz – (Hamburg-Harburg)): Last through train from Hannover Hbf to Buchholz is RB 14434 at 7:51 p.m. from Hannover Hbf. Last through train from Buchholz to Hannover Hbf is RB 14433 at 7:13 p.m. from Buchholz.
• RB 77 (Bünde – Hameln – Hildesheim): Last passing train from Herford to Hildesheim Hbf is RB 14581 at 19.36 from Herford. Last train from Hildesheim Hbf to Herford is RB 14578 at 18.43 from Hildesheim Hbf.
• RB 79 (Hildesheim – Bodenburg): Last through train from Hildesheim Hbf to Bodenburg is RB 14479 at 8:34 p.m. from Hildeheim Hbf. Last through train from Bodenburg to Hildesheim Hbf is RB 14484 at 9:02 p.m. from Bodenburg.

In addition to the connections of the German railways, the following routes are affected according to Metronom:

metronome

• RE2 Uelzen – Celle – Hannover

• RE2 Hanover – Northeim – Goettingen

• RE3 + RB31 Hamburg – Lüneburg – Uelzen

• RE4 + RB41 Bremen-Rotenburg-Hamburg

yet

• RE30 Hanover – Gifhorn – Wolfsburg

• RE50 Wolfsburg – Brunswick – Hildesheim

erixx

• RE10 Hanover – Hildesheim – Bad Harzburg

• RB42/43 Bad Harzburg/Goslar – Brunswick

• RB47 Uelzen – Gifhorn – Brunswick

The song

• All connections affected – operations will be suspended during the strike according to the operator

EVG plans demo at Hanover Central Station

The EVG justifies the walkout with the faltering negotiations. The warning strike is all that remains in the current phase. The union is demanding twelve percent more wages for the approximately 230,000 employees nationwide, but at least EUR 650 gross more per month – for a period of twelve months. Deutsche Bahn is currently offering inflation compensation and a gradual wage increase of between eight and ten percent. In order to continue to put pressure on, the EVG is planning a demonstration in front of the main train station in Hanover on Tuesday.

What happens to purchased tickets?

A railway spokesman criticized the timing of the strike. It was “deliberately” chosen “so that it hurts the passengers the most”. Next week is Ascension Day. In long-distance traffic alone, there are half a million pre-bookings for next Wednesday. That is why it is not possible to use the tickets after the days of the strike. According to Deutsche Bahn, passengers with a ticket valid from May 14 to 16 can use it flexibly until the start of the strike.

Further information

From Deutsche Bahn’s point of view, “after intensive talks” with the railway union, there is no longer any reason for the warning strike from Sunday evening. (05/11/2023) more

The EVG trade union has again called for a nationwide strike starting this Sunday. What rights do rail customers have? (05/11/2023) more