Demonstrators, often very young, from the climate movement “Fridays For Future”, demonstrated side by side with traditional German trade unionists on Friday March 1st. While the Verdi union has been mobilizing all week with strikes to improve public transport and the salaries of its employees, the image of this common march is surprising, but also reflects a new strategy of the movement initiated by the Swede Greta Thunberg.
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With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut
Climate mobilization is no longer as strong as in the past. The war in Ukraine and inflation have changed the priorities of the Germans: the “Fridays For Future” movement, initiated by the popular young Swede Greta Thunberg, now wants to join forces with other forces to make its demands more popular. Other actions in the past have already taken place with the Verdi union.
This joint mobilization was called “ We travel together »: the Verdi union in German public transport with strikes across almost all of Germany and joint demonstrations on Friday with environmental defenders.
“The climate cause is not a hobby of a few young people”
In transport, the two forces, which defend quality public transport, join. Pro-climate activists went to meet unionists and their base to convince. “ We are able to bring together groups of society that are completely different for a single causeexplains Pit Terjung from “Fridays For Future” Berlin. Today we show that the climate cause is not a hobby of a few young people, but it is truly an interest that is common to all of society. »
Political demonstrations are prohibited in Germany then members of the Verdi union stand next to activists from “Fridays For Future” in front of the Ministry of Transport. But officially, they are first demonstrating for salary increases for the 90,000 employees of public transport companies. “ We reach more people and upon arrival, our demands have a greater chance of success because the support for them will be greater “, explains Matthias Koreck from the Verdi union.
Other joint Fridays For Future actions are planned. Climate activists will need more persuasion to convince metallurgists or chemical workers: they fear for their jobs in sectors that produce a lot of CO2.
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