Germany's Saar-Trier region braces for major public sector strike on February 10

From hospitals to universities, Germany's Saar-Trier region grinds to a halt. Will next week's talks end the standoff—or spark even bigger protests?

, and Administrator

2026 May 13 . 12:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a building, holding banners and placards... — The image shows a group of people standing in front of a building, holding banners and placards with text on them. There are two people sitting on an object in the foreground, and a dustbin on the right side of the image. In the background, there are buildings with windows, lights, and sign boards, suggesting that the group is participating in a protest in Germany.

Verdi calls for strike warning in public service - Germany's Saar-Trier region braces for major public sector strike on February 10

Public sector workers in Germany’s Saar-Trier region are preparing for a major strike on February 10. The Verdi union has called for walkouts across state-run agencies, including hospitals and universities. Employees are pushing for higher wages as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement near their next phase. The strike will disrupt key services in the region. Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, and state ministries will all face closures or reduced operations. Verdi has organised a protest march and rally in Saarbrücken, starting at 11:30 AM.

Workers are demanding a 7% pay rise, with a guaranteed minimum increase of €300 per month. The current round of talks stalled, but negotiations will resume from February 11 to 13. Both sides are under pressure to reach an agreement before further industrial action escalates.

The warning strikes aim to push employers toward meeting wage demands. With critical public services affected, the pressure is on for a swift resolution. The outcome of next week’s talks will determine whether further walkouts take place.