Change low graphic options | Change language | Skip content to navigation
Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2007 > 17 October 2007
South Africa
200 members from the Mpumalanga branch of SATAWU were joined by a delegation from the Swaziland Transport & Allied Workers' Union at the Oshoek border between South Africa and Swaziland on 16 October. This border action was organised by SATAWU. Representatives from taxi and bus employers, the regional Transport Department and COSATU spoke in support of better working conditions and safety improvements. The rally also called for proper recognition of trade union rights in Swaziland. Tabudi Ramakgolo (SATAWU) and Eddie Dickson (ITF) addressed the meeting.
October has been set aside by the South African government to encourage the use of public transport. This initiative is supported by SATAWU with the demands for better safety and security for passengers and workers. Regulation and enofrcement of the taxi industry is recognised as an essential requirement of the SATAWU campaign. (Email report by Eddie Dickson)
Philippines
The Associated Labor Unions launched their activities for the Action Week with a radio interview on 13 October in Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao. The interview was very well-received with members of the public calling the radio station with questions about the Action Week. On 15 October, the ALU held a press conference at 07:00 which was followed by a go-slow convoy. Union activists distributed leaflets on fatigue kills and the importance of belonging to a union to drivers at bus terminals while announcements were made on meagaphones about the Action Week. Rallies were also held at the Bachelor Express terminals in Butuan City and Davao City. Together with the Bachelor Express Employees' Union, the ALU is working to include the issue of fatigue in the workplace in the CBA. More activities are planned during the Action Week. On 9-11 November, a 3-day basketball tournament bringing together union representatives from Butuan City, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City is planned to mark the conclusion of activities for the Action Week. (Email report by Jose B Ares)
Chile
In the morning of 16 October, members of FENASICOCH distributed information leaflets on "Fatigue Kills!" at the Lampa toll on Route 5 in order to raise awareness amongst drivers that adequate rest is a key factor in avoiding road accidents. The activity was organised in conjunction with the Department of Labour (Translation from the Department of Labour website)
Spain
In the early hours of 15 October, activists from UGT took part in activities at several border points around the country. At La Junquera (Cataluña), Fuentes de Oñoro (Castilla y León), Canfranc (Aragón), Ayamonte (Andalucía, Biriatu (Euskadi) and Tuy (Galicia) information on the fatal consequences of fatigue as a result of excessive driving hours was distributed to professional drivers. According to statistics from the General Department of Traffic in 2006, 283 professional drivers died in accidents at work and 1,307 were seriously injured. Information was also distributed at the main port zones in Spain.
(Email report by Marcos Ruiz Cercas)
Germany/Poland
40 activists from the German union, ver.di and the Polish union, Solidarnosc distributed approximately 500 leaflets and talked to drivers on the border between Germany and Poland on 15 October
(Email report by Holger Roessler)
View photos from the activity on the German/Polish border >>
Switzerland
On 17 October, the Swiss unions UNIA and SEV, together with the postal union GeKo, organised a joint action at the Grauholz motorway services near Bern. Union members handed out leaflets and union information to drivers.
(Email report by Markus Fischer)
View photos of activities in Switzerland >>
View photos of activities in Thailand >>
Romania
Federatia Transloc initiated a training programme for its members about the importance of the ITF Action Week on 15 October. The training course, which was attended by 50 people today and will continue all week, focuses on the importance of international union solidarity, organising the unorganised in the bus industry, and the Free Osanloo campaign. The union will further report after their planned protest rally in front of the Iranian Embassy today. (Email report by Laurentiu Faighel)
Korea
The Korean Automobile & Transport Workers' Federation and the Federation of Korean Taxi Workers' Unions organised a street campaign in the morning of 15 October. Wearing banners printed with the message "Free Osanloo!", the leaders of the two unions distributed ITF badges and leaflets to bus and taxi drivers who were passing the main road around the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul.
(Email report by Choong-Ho Kang)
View more photos of activities in Korea >>
Hong Kong
In the evening of 16 October, the Federation of Hong Kong Transport Workers' Organizations held an information seminar prior to an AGM for New World First Bus. The seminar discussed ITF activities in particular the Action Week and "Free Osanloo" campaign.
(Email report by Chee Tak Sung)
View more photos of activities in Hong Kong >>
Brazil
In São Paulo, FTTRESP (a member of ITF affiliate CNTTT) used the Action Week to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Activists from the union spoke with truck and urban bus drivers about HIV/AIDS and distributed leaflets and condoms to the drivers. Information about the Action Week was also distributed.
(Email report by Donatila Rocha)
View more photos of activities in São Paulo >>
Switzerland / Germany
From Monday, members of the Swiss union, Unia together with their colleagues from the German union, ver.di have organised activity at the border crossing between Germany and Swtizerland. More activities are planned during the Action Week. (Email report by Nick Bramley)
 |
Section home:
International Road Transport Action Week 2007
Other pages for International Road Transport Action Week 2007:
22 October 2007 | 19 October 2007 | 18 October 2007 | 16 October 2007 | 15 October 2007 | Photos from the Action Week | "Free Osanloo!" Badge Campaign | Worldwide Update | 2006 Activities | Campaign Links
Main Sections:
Home | About us | Solidarity | Flags of Convenience campaign | Seafarers | Dockers | Civil Aviation | Railways | Road transport | Urban Transport | Fisheries | Tourism | Inland Navigation | Women | Education | Young workers
Transport International Magazine
accessibility | site help | site map
ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk