Public Transport Strikes

Berlin is notorious for their proclivity to strike; so far we've observed three different strikes since being here--two for the transport workers and one for the pharmacy workers. Many of my classmates and I moaned and groaned about needing to walk to classes without the ease of transport, and others threw in the towel and called rideshares instead--which I'm not judging...totally understand. But I couldn't help but notice the increase in traffic during the most recent transport strike.

So, for this blog, I was curious about exploring the impact the recent public transportation strike had on CO2 emissions in Berlin. I assumed that more people would be taking cars and rideshares in lieu of public transportation, therefore increasing the amount of cars on the road and overall emissions. It made me curious about how climate activists felt towards these labor-oriented strikes that very likely negatively impact the atmosphere. 

        I read an article titled “Two worlds colliding’: Berlin transport workers and climate activists unite over rights” where author Kate Connolly explores the intersections between the public transport worker union and climate protesters. She describes how the two groups came together under the hashtag “WirFahrenZusammen” – a slogan that highlights the intersections between transportation and the collective desire to move the global climate in a positive direction. The public transport workers are employed by BVG, who is known for their poor work conditions and has a reputation for forcing workers to quit as a result of high rates of stress-related illnesses.

        As of 2024, the plight of these workers was bolstered by the support of an environmental activism group called “Fridays for Future”.  Connolly reports how many BVG workers were hesitant to accept the support from this climate organization. She interviewed one bus driver who originally felt that climate activists were “selfish [and] privileged…[they] slow my bus down by cycling in the bus lane and failing to abide by the rules.” However, this individual came to understand the similarities of the two organizations insofar as they have somewhat of a symbiotic relationship. The bus drivers such as this interviewee see themselves as participants in the climate movement; in order to make cities such as Berlin more eco-friendly, we need to rely less on car and private transportation and increasingly on public transport and non-emitting forms of mobility. In order for this to happen, those who work for the BVG need livable wages and favorable working conditions.

In this way, the two movements are inherently intertwined. Without favorable working conditions, those who run and operate the public transit will have no incentive to work, and without operating transportation, more individuals will be forced to resort to forms of transportation with higher emissions like cars and rideshares. 

        This article made me feel sort of guilty for questioning the environmental impact of the recent strike. After reading, I was reminded of the innate ways the struggle for climate justice is intertwined with all other social movements–labor, here is a prime example of this reality. I really appreciate the dedication of unions to withhold labor until livable working conditions are met.