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Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2008 > 2007 Activities
Information on activities organised by unions for the ITF International Road Transport Action Week in 2007:
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The ITF International Road Transport Workers’ Action Week was organised on 15-21 October 2007 under the slogan “Organising Globally – Building Union Power”. Unions worldwide organised a wide range of activities both nationally and regionally in order to highlight their issues and demands in line with the ITF campaign. Many unions used the Action Week as part of their efforts to organise the unorganised. As part of the Action Week, ITF unions also expressed their solidarity with Mansour Osanloo, President of the Tehran Bus Workers’ Union, by participating in the ITF “Free Osanloo!” badge campaign and organising various solidarity activities. “Free Osanloo!” is a symbolic message as the Iranian regime continues to detain other unionists such as Mahmoud Salehi, co founder of the Saqez Bakery Workers’ Association and the Coordinating Committee to Form Workers’ Organisations.
European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF)
200 unionists from, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden gathered in Brussels on 15 October in a rally near the European Parliament. Together with the ITF and ETF representatives, the unionists spoke one after another to express their strong support for demands to improve rest facilities on European roads and to secure adequate salaries for international driving. In the afternoon, the union delegation met with the European Commissioner Jacques Barrot. Eduardo Chagas and Beatrice Hertogs from the ETF addressed the rally. Media coverage was excellent.
Between these events, the trade unionists drove their buses and cars to the Iranian Embassy in Brussels to deliver their message: "Free Osanloo Now!" Their request to meet with the Ambassador was rejected. A letter demanding the immediate release of detained unionists in Iran including Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim Madahi and Mahmoud Salehi was posted instead. Mac Urata, ITF, addressing the gathering, thanked the European affiliates for their continued support for the Iranian workers and requested that pressure on the Iranian government be maintained.
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.
For more than 3 hours, activists from ELA-hainbat distributed information about the Action Week to approximately 800 drivers at the Biriatou border on 15 October in order to raise awareness of the need for workers to join a union in order to improve working conditions in the sector. Despite being held up in traffic as a result of the action, the information was generally well-received by drivers. Following this border activity, union activists distributed posters and information leaflets at strategic points where large transport and logistics companies are concentrated and held meetings with workers in the sector. Information about the campaign was also sent to the media.
France
CGT Transports had union representatives in the Loire region, Auvergne, Le Mans, Nantes, Mondeville, Dozulé and on the Normandy-Caen road to Spain during the Action Week. Over 7,000 leaflets were handed out demanding adequate parking, effective controls of regulations and respect of women and men workers through “equal work, equal pay”.
Great Britain
Activists from the T&G Section of UNITE handed out leaflets on container cargo safety to over 300 drivers at the outhampton container terminal. The information leaflets, which highlighted awareness of heavy loads, also drew attention to the risk of overloading. There had been a spate of accidents where container trucks had turned over. The activity was received very positively.
Finland
Auto- ja Kuljetusalan Työntekijäliitto - AKT r.y. (Bil-och Transportbranschens Arbetareförbund i Finland) concentrated their activities in the ports for the Action Week for the first time. Actions were held in four ports over four days: Helsinki, Kotka, Turku and Oulu (one day per port). Activists distributed union materials and some warm food to drivers. The union estimates that it met with approximately 370 drivers over the four days.
Norway
Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund used the Action Week to recruit new members into the union. Approximately 50 activists from the union visited different locations around the country in order to meet with members and non-members. Trucking companies, bus companies, supermarket and grocery distribution centres, and trucking terminals were targeted by the union. In Oslo, members of the union visited DHL workplaces in the city. 10,000 bus workers in four Norwegian transport unions wore the “Free Osanloo!” badge at work.
Sweden
The Swedish public services' union Svenska Kommunalarbetareförbundet utilised the Action Week to secure collective bargaining agreements in bus companies where an agreement currently does not exist. The union's passenger transport group approached the employers throughout the country during the week for negotiations.
Austria
In the morning of 15 October, the Austrian transport union Vida distributed the "Free Osanloo!" ITF badges and information sheets to bus drivers of the Vienna Airport Lines and asked drivers to wear the badge and post the information sheet beside the ticket counter. The majority of drivers supported this solidarity activity, which was organised in cooperation with local Iranian community groups. Austrian media was also informed about the action.
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.
Germany
On 9 October, activists from the Düsseldorf, Rhein-Wupper and Wuppertal districts of ver.di came together to organise awareness activities for the Action Week. Between 10:00 and 17:00 the union information vehicle visited the Solingen Ohligs rest area on the BAB A3 motorway and distributed leaflets to truck drivers and discussed their issues, including inadequate rest facilities and driving and rest times.
Switzerland/ Germany
From 15 October, members of the Swiss union, UNIA together with their colleagues from the German union, ver.di organised activity at the border crossing between Germany and Swtizerland.
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.
Romania
Federatia Transloc initiated a training programme on 15 October for its members about the importance of the ITF Action Week. The training course, which was attended by 50 people and continued all week, focused on the importance of international union solidarity, organising the unorganised in the bus industry, and the Free Osanloo campaign. The union also planned a protest rally in front of the Iranian Embassy.>
Estonia
This year, the road transport unions in the Baltic States organised joint activities to stress their concerns about the long waiting times for drivers at the border-crossings with Russia in Estonia, Finland and Latvia. On 15 October, in Brussels, representatives from the Baltic unions in the ETF delegation stressed their demands for adequate rest areas and a reduction in waiting times for drivers at border crossings to EU Commissioner Barrot. On 17 October, the Estonia Transport Workers' Union (ETTA) organised a joint rally at the Narva border crossing with Russia. Postcards with the message "Drivers are not garbage - get rid of queues at the borders" were distributed to drivers waiting at the border. During the week, members of ETTA also held meetings with urban transport drivers who are working excessive overtime. Together with the nurses' trade union, the health of the drivers will be tested.
Lithuania/Latvia
On 18 October, members of the Latvian Trade Union of Public Services and Transport Workers LAKRS and Lithuanian Transport Workers’ Federation held joint actions at the Terechovo and Grebnevo border-crossings with Russia in Latvia as part of the joint activity by the transport unions in the Baltic states to highlight problems experienced by drivers when crossing the borders.
Russia
During the Action Week, members of the Motor Transport & Road Workers' Union of Russia displayed the campaign posters on vehicles and at road transport company premises. Excessive waiting time and inadequate facilities at border points, low wages and old rolling stock are some of the key issues that the road transport workers and their union face today. Activists from the union held meetings with management representatives to discuss these issues and to demand solutions at national and regional government level. To follow-up the meetings, both parties will send letters to the authorities on these questions. The union newspaper reported on activities for the Action Week.
Mongolia
The Mongolian Transport, Communication and Petroleum Workers’ Union (MTCPWU) organised a meeting of 1,000 micro-bus drivers to encourage them to form a joint union. This was achieved and the self-employed drivers are now union members and connected to the MTCPWU. A meeting was held with the local companies and government organisations to discuss the issues faced by transport workers.
Japan
Members of JRU distributed leaflets to passengers at the Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. On 15 October, between 10:10 and 11:00, 50 union members of JR Bus Kanto area distributed 2,000 "Fatigue Kills!" leaflets against deregulation in the taxi and bus industries. The union believes deregulation is a threat to road transport safety. The new international director, Yuji Iijima of Koun Rokyo (Japanese Council of Transport Workers' Unions) participated in the action. In the evening of 15 October, JRU members at JR Hokkaido Bus distributed 1,000 leaflets in Otaru to passers-by, taxi drivers and workers at the Hokkaido Chuo (Centrak) Bus company. JR Bus Tohoku members distributed 2,200 leaflets in 12 locations from Aomori to Fukushima. Public reaction to the message "Fatigue Kills!" was very good and many voiced their opinion against deregulation of tour buses.
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.
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.
Thailand
ITF road transport unions launched their Action Week programme on 15 October with an opening ceremony and panel discussion at the Northern Bus Terminal, attended by the Deputy Minister of Transport and management representatives from the Transport Co. Ltd, BMTA and ETA. Mahendra Sharma, ITF Asia Pacific Regional Secretary, addressed the rally. Members of the unions then participated in a colourful demonstration which visited the bus parking area, passenger terminal and ticket counters. Union activists who were wearing the ITF yellow decken carried banners, posters and flags. An exhibition organised by the unions informed people about ITF activities and campaigns, for example activities for women workers, HIV/AIDS awareness, the "Free Mansour Osanloo" campaign and "Justice For Pedro Zamora" campaign. Following the demonstration, different cultural activities were organised including theatrical plays, games and a panel discussion. On 17 October, union activities took place at the Asoke Expressway toll station (gateway to and from Suvarnabhumi International Airport). Between 09:00 and 12:00, 100 activists from the four ITF affiliates - BMTA-SWU, TRAN-U, LU-ETA and KSLU - distributed 4,000 leaflets about fatigue and the Action Week. The toll station was decorated with various campaign banners, posters and flags including the "Free Osanloo!" posters. On 18 October, a short ceremony was held to open a union exhibition at BMTA and its union's premises in Klongtoey District. Representatives from BMTA attended the event. Information about the Free Osanloo campaign was also presented to the meeting. On 19 October, BMTA-SWU together with LU-ETA and TRAN U, visited various BMTA depots in Bangkok to raise awareness of union members, workers and management on the ITF Action Week. Leaflets with the messages "Fatigue Kills!" and "Against Privatisation" were distributed and small rallies were held at each location. Informal dialogue between the union and management was also held at the last visit to the Suan Siam Depot.
Philippines
The Associated Labor Unions (ALU) started 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', the ALU is working to include the issue of fatigue in the workplace in the collective agreement. On 9-11 November, a 3-day basketball tournament bringing together union representatives from Butuan City, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City was held to mark the conclusion of activities for the Action Week.
India
The Indian National Transport Workers’ Federation ensured that campaign information in Hindi was sent out to all of its affiliates. The union held seminars and produced leaflets in the local language, which were handed out to workers. The main themes were organising the unorganised and the effects of privatisation and deregulation. Action took place throughout India. In the Jalbalpar district a memorandum was submitted to the Labour Minister regarding the ratification of ILO Convention 153. Activities also took place at Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Dehradoon (Uttarakhand) and Sansol and Bolpur (West Bengal).
The Transport & Dock Workers' Union organised a series of activities for the Action Week focusing on two ports in Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The union's events culminated on 19 October with a mass demonstration of 500 port workers and drivers in front of the Administration Office of the Mumbai Port Trust. Union activists demanded access to canteen facilities without discrimination. As a result of the week-long programme, 140 workers joined the union. Furthermore, the union won the reinstatement of five dismissed workers at Gateway Terminals India Pvt Ltd during the week. The company is a subsidiary of the global operator, Maersk. ITF's Maersk Network assisted the dispute. In the run-up to the Action Week, the union created two core action committees comprising organisers, educators and activists to prepare events. On 15 October, meetings were held at call stands for port drivers and union information in the local language was widely distributed. The campaign posters were displayed at more than 50 different points. On 16 October, banners were displayed at traffic islands and arterial roads leading to the ports. On 18 October, a gate meeting was held at Gateway Terminals India Pvt Ltd.
The Tamil Nadu Road Transport Workers’ HMS Federation held gate meetings and dharnas in cities throughout the region including in Madurai, Vellore>, Erode, Coimbatore, Salem, Chennai, Trichy and Thirunelveli. The union’s demands included a reduction in the wage settlement period from 5 to 3 years, increases in worker allowances, improved pension and workers’ conditions as well as adoption of ILO Convention No.153. A series of meetings with representatives from the Tamil Nadu Government, transport management and the union were held in October-February. Many of the union demands have been accepted and discussions are continuing on those that are still outstanding.
Nepal
NETWON held their campaign activities on 14 October. A delegation from the union visited the Transport Ministry and briefed the Transport Minister on the Action Week and ILO Convention 153, and submitted a petition with their demands. The Minister pledged to consult further within the Ministry about ratification of the Convention. Activity was also organised in several local union districts around the country including Dharan, Nepalgunj, Jhapa, Tanahu, Surkhet, Butwal, Dhangadhi, Chitwan. In Ithari, union activists distributed leaflets and held gate meetings at bus depots. A vehicle rally was held in Biratnagar. On 15 October, activists from NETWON distributed leaflets about the Action Week to members of the public, drivers and traffic police at various locations around Kathmandu. Media coverage was very good with reports of the union's activities in national print and electronic media, as well as a live interview on radio.
The newly-affiliated Independent Transport Workers' Association took part in the ITF Action Week for the first time by organising a meeting with government representatives in Kathmandu. On 15 October, more than 100 participants discussed the problems of long and irregular working hours in the transport industries; 24 unionists spoke on the subject. The union presented its paper with a set of proposals to improve the national legislation on working hours. The government representative highlighted ILO Convention 153 in the meeting. Prior to this interaction with the government officials, the union stressed to its participants the importance of the ITF campaign.
Pakistan
On 20 October, the Pakistan Transport Workers' Federation organised a large rally in Lahore. The union highlighted their demands for fixed duty hours and adequate facilities for transport workers, as well as vocational training on safety and social security benefits such as provision of pensions. Participants to the rally also demanded the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo. The union sent an appeal to the President of Iran through the Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan.
The All Pakistan Civil Transport Workers’ Union gathered in Faisalabad and held lectures on the importance of rights for women; road transport legislation and education. A second meeting was held at the Tehsil Council hall in Gojra District Toba Tek Singh, which discussed the issues of law and workers’ rights.
Australia
Bus workers of the Transport Workers' Union of Australia (TWU) wore badges in support on Mansour Osanloo on 18 October. TWU members demonstrated their public support for the Iranian workers at press conferences in bus yards in Canberra and Wollongong. The Federal Member of Parliament, Sharon Bird attended the meeting in Wollongong and expressed her support for the campaign. Media coverage of the activity was good.
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 enforcement of the taxi industry is recognised as an essential requirement of the SATAWU campaign.
Uganda
On 18 October, the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union held a symposium for key stakeholders on "reducing road accidents; a collective responsibility". The guest of honour was the Inspector General of Police. The main presenter was a professor from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Uganda. Drivers, representatives from the Police, Ministry of Transport and Labour, employers and other road transport organisations participated in the event.
Zambia
The National Union of Transport and Allied Workers (NUTAW) organised two rallies on 19 October. In Lusaka, representatives from the Bus and Taxi Workers' Union and the Meat and Grain Union participated in the event, together with a representative from the Ministry of Transport and Communication for the first time. The second rally was held at Bwana Mkubwa in the Copperbelt Province. It is a central location for fuel tankers.
Ethiopia
The Transport & Communications Workers' Trade Unions Industrial Federation organised two workshops focusing on the major health and safety issues of transport workers. The first workshop, organised in collaboration with the Heavy Truck Drivers Association and the Federal Transport Authority (FTA), targeted cross-border problems for long-distance drivers mainly on the Ethiopia-Djibouti corridor. The meeting agreed a memorandum of understanding between the unions and the FTA to resolve cross-border problems and issues. The second workshop addressed questions of unionisation in the country. The meeting was addressed by the former President of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU). Leaflets highlighting the objectives of the campaign were also distributed to workers, employers, government officials and other union organisations. Media coverage of the events was good. On 15 October, representatives from the Federation were out on the main corridor roads to the ports talking to drivers and handing out information.
Mauritius
The Government Servants' Association, together with the Artisans and General Workers' Union, the Transport Corporation Employees' Union and the Maritime Transport & Port Employees' Union held a health and safety workshop on 16 October to celebrate the Action Week. The meeting discussed various aspects of workplace health and safety including HIV/AIDS. The event, which was attended by several government Ministers and representatives from health and safety agencies, received good media coverage. The unions then held a rally on 18 October. Wearing the ITF yellow decken and the "Free Osanloo" badges, union activists carried placards displaying the ITF Campaign poster and messages demanding the immediate release of Mansour Osanloo and Ebrahim Madadi.
West Africa sub-regional event
On 17-18 October, more than 150 activists and union leaders from Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Niger gathered at Zegoua on the border between Mali and Côte d'Ivoire to participate in the annual West Africa sub-regional celebration as part of the Action Week. Nazi Kabore, ITF Francophone Africa Coordinator, represented the ITF at the event. In the evening of 17 October, participants, local residents and drivers who had stopped at the border for the night watched the ITF film on HIV/AIDS, "Highway of Hope". The following morning, participants distributed leaflets to drivers at the border. The leaflets highlighted the unions' demands for better working and living conditions for road transport workers in the ECOWAS countries. They were drawn up at the ITF/SASK seminar held in Accra in June 2007 and included information on ITF anti-harassment procedures for the region. Contact information for local union representatives was also distributed to drivers. At 09:00, the event culminated with a rally. Speeches were made denouncing the police harassment that still occurs in Côte d'Ivoire and Mali. Unions in the two countries had prepared for the event with workshops on 15-17 October.
Mali
La Coordination Nationale des Syndicats et Associations des Chauffeurs et Conducteurs du Mali organised a training seminar for union representatives at the border with Côte d'Ivoire on 15 October. Approximately 20 people attended the seminar.
Morocco
On 19 October, the road transport union, UMT organised a gathering for its members and distributed the "Free Osanloo" badges. A presentation was made about the situation in Iran and the challenges being faced by the union. At the end of the meeting, all participants signed a letter addressed to the Iranian President demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Mansour Osanloo and his colleagues.
Canada
CAW Local 114 focused its activities on organising. During the Action Week activists from the Local visited various workplaces to talk to members and non-members about the issues that are affecting them and spread the message about the importance of belonging to a union. ITF campaign material and union contact information was distributed to workers. The union continued to work closely with the National Organising Department to develop follow-up plans of action, to be used by the Locals throughout the year. Transit Drivers of Local 111 wore the "Free Osanloo!" ITF badges during the week.
USA / Canada
Despite torrential rain and wind, representatives from the Teamsters and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) locals in the US and Canada distributed leaflets on 18 October with the message "Better Pay - Safer Trucks - Cleaner Air - Booming Ports - Go Union!" and spoke to drivers as they crossed the US/Canadian truck border crossing in Blaine, Washington. The message of organising to raise standards received a positive response.
Bermuda
On 16 October, the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) held a forum where the ITF Pedro Zamora film was shown and members took part in a discussion about HIV/AIDS. On 18 October, the union also organised a games night using the ITF HIV/AIDS playing cards.
Honduras
The Sindicato Nacional de Motoristas de Equipo Pesado de Honduras (SINAMEQUIPH) held their activities on 3 November. Union activists distributed over 200 posters which highlighted the rights of workers. They also handed out sandwiches and refreshments to drivers. They tried to assist the drivers by giving them the contact details of organisations to contact if they encountered difficulties on the road or at border points. The union also contacted colleagues in the shipping, brewery and construction industries.
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.
Chile
In the morning of 16 October, members of the Federación Nacional de Sindicatos de Conductores de Buses, Camiones, Actividades Afines y Conexas de Chile (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.
Colombia
The Asociación Nacional de Servidores Públicos del Instituto Nacional de Vias - ANSEINVIAS distributed leaflets at various toll gates around the country. The union leaflets highlighted the dangers of long working hours and fatigue and the high cost of tolls in the country.
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