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Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2009 > 2008 activities
Information on activities organised by unions for the ITF International Road Transport Action Week in 2008:
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The ITF International Road Transport Workers’ Action Week was organised on 13-19 October 2008 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. During this week, the ITF and its affiliates also highlighted attacks on workers’ rights and in particular the prominent case of continued oppression of the independent workers’ movement in Iran.
Luxembourg
A delegation from the OGBL met with the Luxembourg Minister of Transport on 13 October together with Cristina Tilling, ETF Road Transport Secretary. Discussion at the meeting concentrated on the increased outsourcing trend by transport companies who turn to Eastern Europe and also their use of "independent drivers" to drive their lorries. Tilling stated that this situation was very similar to that of Flags of Convenience (FOCs) in the maritime industry and stressed her concern about the problem of fatigue while driving. The Transport Minister expressed support for better European social standards and proposed a round table meeting in November with the participation of other Ministries and various social partners including OGBL to address the issues in the industry and look for solutions. The OGB-L also raised in the meeting the employers' demand for tourist coach drivers to be allowed to drive 12 consecutive days before their rest period. Currently, drivers work 6 consecutive days. OGB-L feels that this claim endangers road safety and this concern was shared by the Transport Minister.
France
Union representatives of CGT Transports took part in the Action Week in Pays de la Loire, Normandy and Auvergne to renew their demand for additional parking places on and outside the motorways. The Federation also planned to meet urgently with government representatives as a result of the current economic crisis to demand protection of members' salaries.
Germany
Improvement of rest facilities was a key issue highlighted by ver.di during the Action Week. Members of the union, including some retired truck drivers, campaigned during the Action Week on this issue. Currently nearly 3,000 stop and rest areas are needed. Union activists asked drivers to sign petitions demanding proper facilities for drivers to hand them to the Ministry of Transport following the Action Week. The action was well received.
Germany and the Netherlands
In Lower Saxony, a successful joint event took place between ver.di and their counterparts from the Netherlands in the border town of Bentheim where the unionists met with and spoke to many professional drivers including those from Poland and Russia.
Germany and Switzerland
At the border between Germany and Switzerland (Weill am Rhein), ver.di worked together with their Swiss colleagues from UNIA and reached many foreign drivers with their joint leaflets. In the eastern part of Germany actions took place at the motorway rest places. In Bayern, unionists collected more than 1,000 signatures from drivers to support their demand to improve rest facilities. UNIA and Gewerkschaft Kommunikation – GEKO (postal workers’ union) from Switzerland and ver.di had a stand at the motorway's border crossing point between the two countries on 15 October where the unionists handed out leaflets and spoke to the truck drivers.
Switzerland
On 16 October, activists from UNIA and GEKO, including some retired members, were once again at the service stations on motorways, handing out leaflets and speaking to professional drivers.
Great Britain
Representatives from the T&G Section of UNITE, RMT and GMB, together with the TUC, met with Department of Transport officials on 14 October in London to lobby for full protection of local passenger transport workers in terms of job security, terms and conditions and pension rights when they transfer to a new employer. This meeting followed on from the success of the trade unions' long campaign to reverse the deregulation of bus services in Britain. As a result of that campaign, the Labour Government is presenting new legislation, the Local Transport Bill, which will give Local Authorities new powers to control local bus and tram services. The trade unions were particularly pleased that one of these new powers is for Local Authorities to create Quality Contracts, whereby an area network is defined by the Local Authority, timetables and even fares are set, and then it is contracted out to a single operator. This "controlled competition" model is far more typical of the manner in which privatisation of local passenger transport has taken place in mainland Europe.
The legislation was expected to complete its passage through Parliament by the end of 2008. Present in the meeting were Martin Mayer (T&G Section of Unite, ITF Road Transport Section Chair) as well as Roger Sealey, John Ushers (T&G Section of UNITE), James Croy (RMT), Charlie King (GMB) and Phil Pearson (TUC).
Spain
In 2008, the CC.OO used the slogan "Fatigue Kills!" as a way to contact the national, regional and local government bodies and transport companies and institutions. The union sent out letters to the Minister of Labour, Minister of Public Works/Development and the Home Office Minister, and the transport companies proposing working groups to discuss the problems in the road transport industry, which includes driver deaths, health and safety, and accidents. The union also made a statement to the Government that they want all owner-drivers to be included in the European working time directive. The union proposed that joint meetings are held with all parties involved in order to ensure that there is a coordinated approach in the discussions with the outcome of a policy that covers everyone not just one sector or section of the industry. The union will be following this up throughout the year and hopes that the high percentage of deaths and accidents on the roads can be brought down.
ELA-Hainbat started their campaign activities during the week prior to the Action Week. Under the theme of health and safety at work, the union held courses and distributed leaflets at various workplaces in four provinces. At goods companies, the union highlighted issues relating to the transportation of dangerous goods and when visiting workers at bus companies the union focused on violence at work. In the morning of 13 October, approximately 30 union representatives distributed campaign leaflets in Euskara, Spanish, English and French to lorry drivers at Biriatu on the Spanish/French border. Campaign posters were also distributed to drivers. Activists also visited different workplaces during the week to raise awareness about the campaign.
Sweden
In the 30 local areas and offices of Svenska Transportarbetareförbundet, union officials and members held meetings with police, local councillors and transport workers to discuss issues such as health and safety. They also visited truck stops to speak to international truck drivers and stress the need for trade union representation and explain what the unions can do to help them.
Finland
The Auto- ja Kuljetusalan Työntekijäliitto - AKT r.y. sent 6-8 members and union officials to five of the main truck rest stations in Finland, from Lapland in the north to just outside Helsinki in the south. They spoke to around 500 drivers handing them leaflets explaining the importance of being in a union and how to join a union. They also handed out ice scrapers and coupons for a free coffee. The union representatives were well received and all of the drivers were very interested in what the union had to say.
Norway
Activists at Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund were out visiting workplaces during the Action Week as part of a week of national organising activities. Every year, the union organises two 'weeks of organising' - one in Spring and one to coincide with the ITF Action Week. Activities included visiting transport companies to talk to members and potential members about issues such as the Working Time Directive and fatigue, and talking to drivers and distributing union and ITF materials at truck stops. At a few locations, union representatives were working alongside road authority officials and distributing union information to drivers. The union feels that these activities are important as part of its organising campaign in making the union more visible.
Unionists, NGO members and academics met in Oslo on 17 and 18 October 2008 to discuss the cooperations that trade unions and the wider social movement can develop. The meeting, co-hosted by the ITF and the Norwegian affiliate, Fagforbundet (the Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees), stressed informalisation of employment and internationalisation of production as two key features that trade unions face today. It also highlighted that trade union membership is declining in many countries and the unions' traditional relationship with the political parties is changing. However, some unions are fighting back against neo-liberal attacks and several examples were reported. These included the campaign for welfare state in Norway; strategic campaigning in the US Teamsters union; awareness raising of members and support to the Baltic unions network by the Swedish Transport Workers' Union, to name a few. The participants agreed that unions and the social movement can work together if they can share their information, accept their differences but ensure that their capacities are fully used. It resolved to hold thematic meetings for example, on climate change in transport, as well as to encourage the ITF to discuss the question of collaboration with the social movement regularly in their meetings. Mac Urata and Asbjørn Wahl co-chaired the meeting.
Lithuania and Estonia
16 union representatives from the Estonian Transport & Road Workers' Trade Union and the Lithuanian Transport Workers' Federation visited the truck drivers' parking area at Kaunas in Lithuania, where mostly Estonian drivers stop to spend the night. A questionnaire in six languages on conditions at the parking facilities was distributed to drivers and the activists also talked to drivers about the role of unions. Reaction from the drivers was generally positive and the unions hoped to speak to at least 70 drivers at the parking area during the evening. In addition to this joint activity, the Lithuanian Transport Workers' Federation focused local activity on negotiations of a branch agreement for the transport sector and planned to meet with the central employers' organisation on 14 October. The Estonian Transport & Road Workers' Trade Union planned to organise activities on passenger transport security during the Action Week.
Latvia
The Latvian trade union of public services and transport workers, LAKRS, set their organising campaigns in the regions of Vidzeme and Kurzeme on 13 and 15 October. A union seminar for transport workers on "job security in the transport sector" was held on 14 October. LAKRS also actively participated in the World Day for Decent Work the previous week. In the run-up to the Action Week, the union had been in negotiations with the Ministry of Transport over improvement of wages where the union was demanding a 17% wage hike to meet the rising costs due to inflation. Swedish LO interviewed the transport sector of LAKRS and visited the workplaces on 9 October.
Iran
Mansour Osanloo and the ITF-affiliated Tehran Bus Workers' Union were awarded with the Silver Rose Award by SOLIDAR on 15 October in Brussels. SOLIDAR is a European network of labour and social organisations recognised by the ILO and its annual Silver Rose Award recognises individuals and organisations whose struggle contributes greatly to social justice and equality throughout the world. As part of the joint ITF/ITUC campaign to promote workers' rights in Iran, the two organisations nominated the bus workers' union and its imprisoned leader for the award. Yussuf Mollaie, who is the lawyer for the union, attended the ceremony held at the European Parliament. In his speech, on behalf of the union, Mollaie said "the unprecedented growth of the workers’ movement and the escalation of struggles over the last three years show that Iranian workers are aware of the solid support of the international community. When we raise our fists, we know that we are not alone. This award will strengthen our determination to continue and to broaden our struggles". Eduardo Chagas, ETF General Secretary, attended the event.
On 19 October, members of the Tehran Bus Workers' Union met together with other independent union representatives in support of the ITF Road Transport Action Week.
Turkey
Representatives of the ITF, IUF (International Union of Food workers) and ICEM (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions) met in Istanbul to express their solidarity with the Turkish unions' campaign to reinstate dismissed workers at Unilever's subcontractors, Çipa and Şimşek. Top leaders from TÜMITIS, Petro-Is, Tekgida-Is, as well as TURK-Is held a strategy meeting with the 3 Global Unions on 20 October 2008. Altogether 87 workers that ITF-affiliated TÜMTIS had organised had been sacked. The delegation visited the picket line that the union had set-up when the dispute started 117 days before. The previous week, the district court in Istanbul ruled in favour of the union and said that the subcontractors must bring these workers back to work. The union had filed several cases to the court, based on the dates that these workers were dimissed. Unilever is a multinational company in the food and chemical sectors. 140,000 of its 300,000 full-time jobs have been shed in the past 7 years in line with their strategy to generate 30 billion Euros in profit for their shareholders, according to the IUF.
India
On 13 October the Transport and Dock Workers Union in Mumbai displayed banners on the arterial roads leading to the docks and handed out leaflets explaining workers' rights including ILO Convention No. 153. A memorandum was passed to the local port authorities regarding safety and provision of welfare facilities including the upgrading of current rest facilities which had not been maintained. The week-long campaign by activists culminated in a general meeting of transport workers on 18 October, attended by over 500 workers. The meeting was addressed by S.R. Kulkarni, President of the Transport Dock Workers’ Union and P.K. Raman, Secretary. The meeting passed a resolution to demand the immediate reinstatement of 28 dismissed workers at the Gateway Terminals, JNP. Transport workers of all the contractors at Gateway Terminals held demonstrations at the gates of the company between 08:00 and 12:00. Leaflets were widely circulated and posters put up at gates, call stands, rest shelters, canteens and on moving vehicles.
The Maharashtra State Transport Kamgar Sanghatana used the Action Week to highlight issues relating to maxicabs. On 18 October in Nanded, the union held an awareness programme for workers on maxicabs and the Mesma Act, which prohibits workers on striking work and is imposed by the Government from time to time. All union Branch Secretaries and the President were invited to participate in the discussion. Campaign posters were also sent to union divisions. The union planned to file a case in court against the Mesma Act and to also make an application to the chief minister to protect the road transport sector from maxicabs in the state.
The Indian National Transport Workers’ Federation participated in the Action Week at locations throughout India including Japalpur, Dehradoon, Kullu, Tikamgarh, Kolkata, Asansol and Bolpur. The programme was organised by the affiliated unions of the Federation. Unions submitted a memorandum to the Labour Minister of India and Chief Minister highlighting the importance of the ITF Action Week and also reporting the problems for road transport workers and highlighting local demands. Activists met locally and discussed the theme and objectives of the campaign. ITF campaign material was displayed and distributed among members. Dharnas (sit-ins), rallies and meetings were organised at bus stands. During these meetings the effects of deregulation and privatisation in the road transport industry were discussed and action plans formulated. During the week seminars were also held on HIV/AIDS, climate change. Press coverage was good.
Pakistan
A rally was held by the Pakistan Transport Workers’ Federation at a major bus terminal in Lahore on 13 October from 11:00, led by President Atia Saleem and General Secretary Haji Muhammad Saeed. The participants unanimously demanded the release of Mansour Osanloo and the reinstatement of all dismissed workers. The main discussions involved the previous government’s clear violation of ILO conventions regarding the right to be a member of a trade union and union activities not being allowed in PIA, Pakistan Railways, Banks Pakistan Mint and Hospital Employees. The announcement by Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Gallani to abolish the anti-union laws and establish laws in line with the ILO conventions was acknowledged.
Nepal
The District Committees of NETWON organised huge rallies in several cities around Nepal including Biratnagar (Morang District) Butwal, Dharan, Ithari, Kankarvitta, Dhangadhi, Surkhet, Pokhara, Birjung and Chitwan. After completing the rallies, union activists distributed leaflets to the public, police and others, and addressed workers in the bus depots informing them about the ITF Action Week. An article on the ITF Action Week written by the union, appeared in the National Daily newspaper on 18 October. The article included information on the history of the ITF Campaign, ILO Convention 153, and the union's aims. The newspaper is widely-read and so was a useful publicity material for the union and its campaigning activities.
On 19 October, a huge taxi rally was held in Kathmandu. More than 600 taxis participated in the rally and union members shouted different campaign slogans for example, calling for implementation of ILO Convention No 153; reliable taxi parking; guarantee of social security for transport workers; and an end to police suppression towards taxi drivers. Media coverage of the rally was excellent. After the rally, union representatives addressed the workers outside the Tribhuwan International Airport. Ajay Rai commented, "This event...is the big festival to our members and union to show our strength and introducing to the police, public and government through this type of rally...and organising to new members.”
The Independent Transport Workers' Association of Nepal (ITWAN) organised their campaign activities from 22 to 25 October at every zonal office level. On 20 October, a rally was organised by three of the union’s zonal offices (Lumbini, Gandaki and Seti). 1,200 people participated in the rally chanting slogans for better working conditions for transport workers. Activists carried banners and posters, and distributed leaflets. Representatives from the traffic police and government attended a union programme which discussed the problems for transport workers and possible solutions.
Philippines
The Pinagkaisang Manggagawa sa Transportation (PMT) United Transport Workers' Unions organised a demonstration in front of the Malacanang Palace in Manila to demand the removal of the 12% Value Added Tax imposed by the government on petroleum and its by-products. According to the union, this tax is a source of misery for transport workers. Some 2,000 jeepney and tricycle drivers of the union participated in the demonstration.
Mongolia
On 14 October, a delegation from the Transport, Communication and Petroleum Workers Union, met with S Bayar, the Prime Minister of Mongolia, to discuss issues relating to public transport. The union delivered a statement to the government concerning the problems which include low salaries. The Prime Minister agreed to set up a working group aimed at solving the issues raised. He also agreed to remove the ticket price cap which had been in place for sometime. It has created financial crisis for the bus companies as well as a freeze in wage increase. The working group will include the Minister of Road, Transportation and Travel and the union President, E Sukhbaatar as well as other social partners. The union also held a protest rally in Ulaanbaatar's main square, demanding increases in salary for public transport workers.
Thailand
The Thai unions, BMTA-SWU, TRAN-U, LU-ETA and TWUT held a rally on 17 October. Approximately 300 workers attended the activities. The rally was opened by the Transport Manager and included a stage play and march around the transport depot and terminal. Activists held banners and distributed posters and leaflets.
Singapore
On 12 October, the Singapore National Transport Workers' Union presented scholarship and bursary awards to 385 members' children. Immediately after the presentation ceremony, the union organised a nature walk for union members and their families. More than 600 people participated in the walk.Hong Kong
The Kowloon Canton Railway Workers' Union placed posters at 52 MTR (Mass Transit Railway) stations and workshop notice boards. The poster campaign was very effective – during the Action Week 50 workers including bus drivers, train drivers and maintenance technicians joined the union.
The Federation of Hong Kong Transport Workers' Organizations held a protest with over 100 workers outside the Legislative Council today, as the Chief Executive of the Legislative Council, Donald Tsang delivered his policy address. They handed a petition to each of the Council members which was signed by around 500 workers demanding a statutory minimum wage for all workers. The union also distributed copies of the ITF Action Week poster to professional drivers who cross Hong Kong and Mainland China. Drivers also placed the posters on their vehicles this week to promote awareness of the Action Week.
Japan
Members of the JRU leafletted approximately 5,000 flyers calling for an end to deregulation and union oppression in the areas of Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo and Kansai. 18 members of JREU Bus-Tohoku started the campaign early in the morning at four locations in Sendai city, the biggest town in northeast Japan. At Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest areas in Tokyo, 47 members from Bus-Kanto and JRU handed out flyers from 10h00. Yuji Iijima, Director of International Affairs of the ITF-JC, joined the activity in Tokyo. Union activists, wearing yellow jackets with the ITF logo, carried large banners and campaign placards displaying the union's demands. Some union members also used horns to raise awareness about the impact of deregulation on safety. Many fatal accidents have been caused in Japan by long working hours and drivers' fatigue. Public reaction to the activity was very positive with many people stopping to read the flyers. "I agree with you", "Thank you for informing me", "Let's fight together" were some of the comments made by members of the public.
Australia
In November, the TWU organised a “Drive for Safe Rates” campaign demanding a fair remuneration system that gives drivers the ability to obtain a safe rate of pay rather than incentive-based payments and systems which exert pressure on the truck driver to get to their destinations quickly. To emphasize their message, a truck loaded with 275 pairs of shoes, representing the lives lost in heavy vehicle incidents in the 12 months to March 2008, set off on a road trip from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Adelaide. According to the union, as a result of the campaign, the National Transport Commission has recommended the government adopt all of the union’s recommendations for safe systems of payment for transport workers.
South Africa
Provincial Secretary Zenfo Mahlangu of SATAWU's Northwest Province< organised a rally at the Ramatlabana border with Botswana on 17 October. Approximately 200-300 truck drivers, petrol attendants and people from the general workforce attended the rally, from places such as Rustenberg Mafikeng and Lichtenburg. The union invited a delegation from the Department of Labour who participated in the rally. Abner Tabudi Ramakgolo, SATAWU, spoke about the issues of HIV/AIDS, long delays at the border crossings and updated the members on the current state of the road freight industry negotiations, advising them of the unions' demands for wage increases. The union was demanding a 10% increase taking into account the increase of inflation and demanding a 40% increase across the board for all workers. The union had manged to convince the Minster of Labour to fund seminars and workshops for shop stewards so that they can understand the current council legislations.
Mozambique
The Minister of Transport for Mozambique, Pauloa Francisco Zucula opened an ITF capacity building seminar on 13 October held in Central Maputo for transport workers in Angola and Mozambique. During the opening ceremony, Naphtal Simbine, the General Secretary of ITF affiliate, the Sindicato Nacional do Trabalhadores dos Transportes Rodoviário e Assistência Técnica (SINTRAT) emphasised the need for the government to put workers' rights at the top of the transport agenda in Mozambique. He reminded participants that without realising workers' rights, there would be no progress in any sector. Joseph Katende, ITF Africa Regional Secretary, attended the event and advised employers and the government to engage SINTRAT in constructive dialogue. The seminar marked the beginning of campaign activities in Mozambique, which were to include marches and other public events. Media coverage was good.
Ethiopia
The Transport & Communications Workers' Trade Unions Industrial Federation had a very successful campaign as they attracted a massive number of taxi drivers and assistants in Addis Ababa and 3,000 parking attendants to their activities. The union also held a panel discussion with the involvement of all the stakeholders on long-distance truck drivers' rights and safety. As a result, a round-table forum was established to work on further developments in the transport industry. This will include the Ethiopian Heavy Truck Drivers' Association and the national labour centre.
Mauritius
A one-day workshop was organised by the ITF National Coordinating Committee of Mauritius at the Government Servants' Association office in Beau Bassin, with participants from GSA, AGWU, TCEU and MTPEU. The Presidents from all of the unions unanimously stressed the necessity to consolidate union membership and they all agreed that the problem of driving under the influence of alcohol needed to be addressed. Speakers from the police traffic unit and the National Agency for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers addressed the participants regarding drink driving and the problems that arise from it. Several resolutions related to the subject were adopted at the workshop.
On 16 October, the TCEU organised a gathering for its bus transport members which was followed by a rally.
Kenya
The Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union reported that they took a roadshow of 5 trailers and dozens of union activists, as well as senior staff from the Ministry of Transport and two police motorbikes as escort, from Mombasa to the border crossing with Uganda of Malaba covering approximately 1250km. They held rallies at the junctions and truck stops along the way. The unionists were trying to educate the professional drivers on road safety and ways to reduce corruption. The key message was that the drivers have a right to join a union and that the union can help them. At the Malaba border crossing on 19 October the roadshow was due to join with the Ugandan unions for a celebration, to which the Ugandan and Kenyan Prime Ministers were invited.
Ghana
A rally was held in Accra involving all the transport unions who are members of the Trade Union Congress, starting at 09:00 outside the TUC building. Around 350 people attended the rally. It was the highest turn out so far on the ITF's campaign day. Emmanuel Mensah along with the Chairman of the Union, Samuel Quarshie; the Secretary General of the TUC; Kwasi Adu-Amankwah; and Chairman of Ghana TUC, Alex Donney spoke about Organising Globally - Building Union Power; eradicating the carnage on the roads; correcting the indiscipline on the roads and minimizing HIV/AIDS among road transport workers. The Transport Minister also attended the rally. After the rally, members of the TUC along with the unions spoke with representatives of the road transport organisations, and companies such as Intercity STC, Metromax and Kingdom Transport Services regarding a number of issues affecting the transport industry. The unions officials will be working together to analyse the issues that arose during the rally to see where they can move forward and continue the dialogue with the companies and government. The week long programme organised by the General Transport, Petroleum & Chemical Workers' Union included visitations to some of the road transport companies such as Intercity STC Coaches and Metro Mass Transit that union operates within in order to meet with the rank and file membership of the union. As part of their visits, union representatives also visited the engineering departments of these companies to interact with the engineering staff who carry out maintenance and inspection of vehicles and to inform them about the ITF Action Week.
Burkina Faso
The Union des Chauffeurs Routiers du Burkina organised several activities during the Action Week. At all border points, the ITF posters were displayed in strategic places and distributed to drivers along with stickers and condoms. A meeting was held with the Minister of Transport to explain the difficulties that road transport drivers are facing, including for example the lack of a collective agreement, driving times and wages. A debate on the activities by the union and the ITF was held on the television on 18 October.
Côte d'Ivoire
On 13 October, the Syndicat des Conducteurs de Taxis de Côte d'Ivoire distributed approximately 200 materials to taxi drivers at the airport. A training workshop for members on organising was planned for 17 October.
Liberia
Activists from the National Brotherhood of Teamsters Union of Liberia carried placards with different slogans such as “Employers Give Union Members Decent Work, Decent Life” and “Government, Our Action is to Help you Fight to Eradicate Poverty” on 17 October. A statement was received by the Minister for the Trade Union Division at the Ministry of Labour.
Togo
On 17 October, the Fédération Syndicale des Travailleurs des Transports du Togo (FESYTRAT) held a meeting on the theme "Road transport workers in Togo and decent work". 87 transport worker union members took part in the activity which was held in Lomé. During the opening ceremony, the General Secretary of the Federation informed participants about the ITF Action Week and highlighted the fact that road transport workers around the world were taking part. After a very productive discussion, all transport unions were invited to work towards the creation of a collective agreement in the sector, which currently does not exist. The Campaign posters were distributed to the different unions attending the event. The Federation resolved to continue to participate in future ITF Action Weeks.
Guinée Conakry
Fédération Nationale des Transports et Marins Pêcheurs de Guinée (FENATRAMP.G) celebrated the Action Week on 18 October with a ceremony, attended by union activists, road transport workers, as well as representatives from government ministries and other administrative bodies. In her address to the gathering, Bangoura Magbé, General Secretary of FENATRAMP.G, highlighted the effect of economic reforms on workers’ lives in particular the effects of globalisation which had impacted on living and working conditions and also stressed the concept of decent work and social protection for all. The aim of the celebration was to raise awareness among workers of the importance of solidarity in order to demand better working conditions for members, including for example, better wages, shorter working hours, adequate rest facilities, reduced waiting times at borders, access to training. The celebration ended with participants singing union songs.
Canada
The CAW Local 114 in British Columbia targeted bus drivers and couriers during the 2008 campaign. Union activists leafleted at the airport where the buses are mostly Universal Coach Lines (UCL). The Local also tried to leaflet at the UCL lot, however the drivers were reluctant to talk as the company owner is known to be anti-union. Activists also visited a commercial fuelling station at Marine and Boundary to speak to truck and bus drivers. On 16 and 17 October, the union targeted the courier industry and visited Grey Hound's freight shipping office, St. Paul's Hospital, the Bentall Buildings' loading dock which is used by UPS, DHL and Fed-Ex, as well as Courier Alley beside Bentall’s which has a number of smaller independent courier companies. The Local reported that "...it was a rewarding experience to get out and speak to union and non-union transportation workers and to let them know about the ITF and the CAW and that there is a common issues and goals for all transportation workers throughout our country and throughout the world".
Three teams of activists from CAW Local 4268 in southern Ontario visited truck stops and rest areas with campaign material. The union representatives explained to the drivers the importance of the campaign, which they believe fosters solidarity amongst transport workers and which is essential when the economy is globalised. The activists also stressed that good jobs create a better community and society for all. The Local also targeted various terminals of trucking and bus companies that have unorganised workers. Activists spent some time on 14 October at the Peace Bridge, which is an international bridge between Canada and the United States.
US
During the Action Week, the Teamsters focused on member outreach to elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States and to build large pro-worker majorities in the House and Senate. General President Hoffa campaigned in Ohio during the Action Week. All across the country, local Teamster leaders and 'lost-timers' visited worksites to encourage members to vote for pro-worker candidates. A top priority for the Teamsters is the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, a labor law reform that would make it easier for workers to organise into unions and increase the penalties to employers who violate a workers' right to form a union.
Bermuda
On 14 October, a meeting of the bus operators and allied workers was held where conditions at the three bus terminals were discussed, along with the non-compliance to certain items by management of the union's collective bargaining agreement. A letter was sent to management outlining workers' issues and stipulating a time limit for management to get back to the union. Posters were displayed throughout worksites regarding the ITF Action Week 2008.
Dominica
On 13-14 October, the Dominica Public Service union met with employees of public transport companies. The union visited ten workplaces to discuss workers' needs and to explain the reasons why they would be better off if they joined the union. Unfortunately the planned seminar for transport workers on 16 October was called off due to Hurricane Omar.
Mexico
The Alianza de Tranviriarios de México (ATM) visited truck drivers of the principal central market in Mexico City . They talked with them about labour rights and the importance of days off in order to prevent accidents by fatigue. Other groups talked with bus drivers at one of the central stations in Mexico City. Leaflets were distributed to drivers. At the union’s head office, the union held talks with workers about the importance of labour rights and security.
Paraguay
The Unión de Sindicatos de Trabajadores de Transporte – USTT organised an HIV seminar during the Action Week. The union also produced a leaflet on security which it distributed during the Action Week.
Colombia
The workers of the Board of Asociación Nacional de Servidores Públicos del Instituto Nacional de Vias – ANSEINVIAS organised a campaign of organisation and prevention of fatigue: one group of activists was on the Bogota – Villavicencio Road, another group was on the Loma Bosconia – Cienaga Road. This highway is known as the highway of death due to the high rate of accidents. This highway is very important because it connects the interior and south of the country to the Colombian Caribbean and as such is often busy with trucks loaded with coal as well as general cargo and other vehicles transporting passengers.
Sindicato de Conductores de Taxis de Cartagena started their campaign activities on 6 October, in conjunction with the international campaign for decent work. Union representatives met with taxi cab drivers and workers of all sectors at the Royal Hotel in Barranquilla between 14:00 and 18:00 with the assistance of 189 union leaders. Posters and stickers were distributed as well as a document titled "There is Decent Work ... in the Taxi Cab Union". On 14 October, union representatives attended a large meeting of the Taxi Cab Drivers' Union of Barranquilla and distributed a document on fatigue and the negative impact to taxi drivers. The union explained the role of the ITF and the background to the ITF Road Transport Action Week. On 16 October, the union was given a half hour slot on the most listened to radio news in Cartagena City, RCN Noticiero Popular. They talked about the everyday problems that taxi drivers face and possible solutions, as well as the ITF 'Fatigue Kills' Campaign.
Chile
The Federación Nacional de Sindicatos de Conductores de Buses, Camiones, Actividades Afines y Conexas de Chile - FENASICOCH expanded the geographical area where it has been developing the campaign in recent years. This year, the union campaign was primarily developed in the north of the country, where there are large numbers of unorganised workers due to fear on the part of the workers to join a union and the lack of organisations that truly represent the interests of road transport workers.
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International Road Transport Action Week 2009
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