#FairWandel Over 50,000 are taking a stand for a just transition

They came from all over Germany, traveling on ten special trains and 800 buses: Over 50,000 workers took part in IG Metall’s #FairWandel rally at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Saturday.

Their message to the government and businesses: Inaction must come to an end. The transportation transition, the energy transition, climate protection, and industrial transformation won’t happen on their own. They require a plan, massive investments, and—above all—swift and decisive action.

“Participants expect politicians and employers to ensure that the digital and ecological transition provides workers with opportunities for good jobs,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, in Berlin. “The transformation must be shaped in a socially, ecologically, and democratically responsible manner. This rally has sent a powerful signal in that regard.”

Skills Training Instead of Layoffs

The rally’s central demand is for employers and policymakers to ensure that the ecological and digital transformation does not create a massive number of losers.

On the contrary: the transformation should turn technical progress into social progress. This requires building bridges for workers. “We are calling for a transformation short-time work allowance. This will prevent layoffs and allow workers to gain the skills needed to work on new products,” said Hofmann.

Implementing the Mobility Transition

IG Metall expects the mobility and energy transitions to be successfully implemented—in the interest of workers and climate protection. “We no longer want debates about goals; we want concrete measures at last. For example, a comprehensive and reliable infrastructure of fast-charging stations is urgently needed,” said Hofmann.

“In addition, massive investments in public transit and rail are necessary. The transportation and energy transitions cannot be achieved with a ‘balanced budget’ policy.” Hofmann called on companies to invest in new products and business models and to secure their locations.

Also present: NABU, VDK, Diakonie

At the #FairWandel rally, Jörg Hofmann was joined by Jasmin Gebhardt, a representative of the Young IG Metall, and other representatives of civil society, including Verena Bentele, president of the social welfare association VdK Deutschland; Olaf Tschimpke, president of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU); and Ulrich Lilie, president of Diakonie.

The cultural program at the rally featured singers Clueso and Joris, as well as the bands Silly, Culcha Candela, and the Berlin Boom Orchestra.

Young IG Metall demonstrated that the transformation is also a concern for young people by organizing its own march from the Red City Hall to the Brandenburg Gate and staging actions focused on ecology, education, working hours, the shift to the right, globalization, and equality.

“The world must not only become more climate-friendly, but also more just. It’s also about improving social conditions,” said Jasmin Gebhardt of Junge IG Metall.

Climate Protection Plus Secure Jobs

IG Metall is supported by NABU: “Now the federal government must set the course for a comprehensive mobility transition and organize an orderly and socially responsible structural transformation for the industry in the regions in such a way that the transformation enjoys broad support in society. Climate protection must not be pitted against people’s mobility needs or the issue of job security in the automotive industry,” said NABU President Olaf Tschimpke.

The transformation will also serve as a litmus test for the welfare state. “Pensions will reveal whether policymakers are making the welfare state fit for the future. The thought of their financial situation in old age is a major concern for almost all Germans,” said Verena Bentele, President of the VdK.

Ulrich Lilie, President of Diakonie, called for social cohesion not to be allowed to break down. “We should shape social democracy in our neighborhoods for everyone and with as many people as possible, and make it a tangible reality. Our ideas of a good life must have a place in our neighborhoods. This requires good political framework conditions, but also the commitment of all citizens.”

Demonstration Through the Government District

Metalworkers from all over Germany had traveled to the demonstration. Many set out for Berlin in the middle of the night by bus or special train. The first trains arrived in Berlin around 7:30 a.m. In several demonstration marches, the participants marched through the government district to the Brandenburg Gate.

Here’s how #FairWandel went—the blog covering the major rally