News of union activities will be published here over the next few weeks.
The ETF Conference on Gender Equalit, which met in Brussels on 16 October to discuss gender issues including workplace violence, was shocked and horrified to learn of the brutal knife attack on Valentina Tzvetkova Federal Secretary for Air Transport in the ETF affiliate union, FTW Podkrepa, Bulgaria, on 1st August.
Valentina works as cabin crew on Bulgaria Air. Returning home in Sofia from flying duties on August 1, she was assaulted at 23.30 outside her house by a man with a knife. He wore no mask or gloves. Valentina courageously fought back against her assailant. She received seven knife wounds to her hands, legs and body and was hospitalised for several days. Her wounds would have been much worse if she hadn’t had the presence of mind to use her bag to defend herself.
Two months after the incident, Valentina is not yet fit to return to her job since some of the injuries she received have not yet healed. Furthermore, there has been no investigation into the stabbing and the police had made no arrests.
Prior to the attack, FTW Podkrepa, together with other civil aviation unions in Bulgaria, had lodged a complaint at the end of 2005 with the Bulgarian Public Prosecution Office against the former Executive Director of Bulgaria Air, Mr. Konstantin Taskov, for misappropriation of funds.
The attack against Valentina appears to be linked to her role in this complaint and the fact that in April this year Valentina was the only remaining witness in the trial.
The ITF and ETF are supporting her case.
The Australian Services Union is asking people to make a personal pledge not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women by wearing white ribbons. They have also set up a ‘white ribbon day action' webpage where virtual ribbons can be sent to raise awareness.
Barbados
The Gender Affairs Committee of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) hosted a one day workshop to highlight the role of the Bureau of Gender Affairs in the fight against violence. A number of further activities included a panel discussion, a church service and a one day symposium. All activities were held over a week period.
Bermuda
The Bermuda Industrial Union held a forum where a short film was shown followed by a discussion. The union together with their sister union the Bermuda Public Services Union and a representative from the national Women’s Resource Centre have formed a network to work together in future campaigns such as the 8th March and World Aids Day. Campaign materials were distributed.
Brazil
The CNTTT will mark both the 27 November, UN day for the elimination of violence against women and the HIV/AIDS day by distributing ITF campaign materials and condoms in 27 urban transport depots.
Congo DR
Solidarite will be organizing a meeting with the aim of empowering women by talking about how to deal with violent situations and breaking the silence.
Guatemala
The dockers’ union, STEP-q will be organizing a ‘No to violence rally’ and distributing campaign ribbons.
Guyana
The ministry of Labour and Social Security has planned a grand symposium and ITF affiliate, the Guyana Labour Union, will play a major participatory role in supporting the event with an aim to bring to light the issues that affect women.
Honduras
ITF seafarers affiliate, SIREMAH have arranged a rally and a talk on domestic violence followed by a social event.
India
ITF affiliate, Paradip Port Workers Union (HMS) will mark the day by holding a procession followed by a meeting of affiliated unions in Paradip. At the meeting, the union plans to distribute the ITF campaign ribbon and a leaflet designed to raise awareness on legal rights and violence.
The National Union of Seamen will be organising a rally on 25 November followed by a group discussion.
The Transport & Dock Workers Union, Kandla has published hand outs on the importance of eliminating violence towards woman and shall distribute them to mark the day.
The Transport & Dock Worker’s Union are organising a seminar on the 25 November 2007, ‘No to Violence Against Women’ for Mumbai Port Trust employees, at the Vijaydeep Building, Mumbai Port Trust’s conference Hall.
On the 27th November the Cochin Port Staff Association organised a seminar targeting women employees of the port and those in associated organizations. Guest speakers included Social Worker Prof. Smt. Alice Mani and Gov. Asst. Education Officer Shri Appukuttan Kanykumari. The emphasis of the seminar was to create awareness of the problem, the laws and regulations affecting it and importance of building women’s confidence to respond effectively. Indonesia
The Federation of Transportation – SBSI is organising a seminar with the union's equalities commission on elimination of violence against women. Women activists will be invited to attend.
The Garuda Indonesia Flight Attendants Association will hold a panel discussion on the protection of women at work.
Jamaica
The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union will be issuing ribbons to all women at the workplace and in churches. They will also be organising a church service.
Liberia
National Brotherhood of Teamsters Union have organised a rally in the streets of Monrovia they will then present a statement on violence against women, to the President of Liberia.
Mali
The Coordination Nationale des Syndicats et Associations des Chauffeurs et Conducteurs du Mali will be setting up a committee for male and female truck drivers, restaurant staff and sales staff at road stops. The union will also organise a cultural rally from the heavy carriers stop in Ballafon to the depot in Bamako.
Mauritius
The Transport Corporation Employment Union will organise a half day workshop, and a pacific rally at the main town of Mauritius-near, where a speech will be given by the women ministry of Mauritius, Mrs Honorable Indranee Seebun. The ITF campaign ribbons will be distributed to mark the occasion.
The Government Servants' Association marked the UN Day for the elimination of violence against women by holding a seminar which was opening by the Minister for Women's Affairs, Child Protection and Family Welfare and the General President of the union. Debates also were carried out on different topics such as violence in the family, at work, HIV/AIDS and drugs. A rally was held in the evening in the streets of Beau Bassin.
Namibia
Namibian Transport and Allied Workers' Union (NATAU) women’s network is planning to engage in an awareness campaign on violence against women. A play will be performed depicting gender violence and a video on gender violence will also be shown, followed by group discussion. An expert on gender violence issues will be invited to address the women. The activity will take place on the 10 December 2007, UN Human Rights Day.
Over one hundred women from the National Brotherhood of Teamsters union will join hundreds and thousands of Women all over the world to celebrate ‘NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN’ day. The union have organised a program which includes a rally in the principal streets of Monrovia. A a statement of support for women in Liberia will be presented to the President of Liberia on Monday November 26, 2007.
Papua New Guinea
The PNG Maritime Workers Industial Union has planned to hold a convention involving women workers from PNG Maritime Industries and airlines.
Peru
The activities organised by FENTENAPU, dock workers union will run over the course of the week beginning 19th November 2007. A gigantic ‘placard’ will be erected detailing activities planned. The union will distribute the white ribbons to workers and information leaflets the origins of the day and women’s rights according to law. On 25 November an event will be held at the company’s club house where a commemorative meal and speeches will be held, followed by an evaluation of the events.
Philippines
The Philippine Seafarers Union – ALU(PSU) plans to hold a two day seminar on Gender Sensitisation on the last week of November 2007. Target participants are men and women from different manning agencies (seafarers and staff). Topics will include family values and parenting.
AMOSUP will hold a awareness raising seminar, approximately 150 men and women members from all ITF affiliated union in the Philippines are expected to attend. A speaker on women’s issues will give a talk on sexual harassment, workplace violence and violence against women and children. The seminar will be concluded with the showing of a film entitled ‘North Country’ a story of one woman’s fight against sexual harassment in the iron mines of Northern Minnesota.
Norway
Norwegian Transport Workers’ Federation, will join FOKUS - Forum for Women and development, LO - The Norweigan Trade Union Confederation , SAIH - International fund for students and academics and Kristelig Folkepartis Kvinner, SMR - Centre for human rights and crisis centre secretariat to carry out activities at a local level.
Campaign materials such as posters and leaflets have been produced for distribution at work, to the general public and for lobbying purposes.
Palestine
The General Union for Transportation Workers of Palestine has trained union representatives on matters relating to all forms of violence both at work and in the home. These union representatives will hold talks/seminars on violence. A symposium has also been organised calling for the recognition of the important role of women in society and for equality between women and men.
Spain
CC.OO will be distributing a ‘If you can not look yourself in the mirror – call us’ leaflets, organising a seminar on domestic violence where experiences and practices will be shared. A rally is to be held in Madrid and a resolution will be passed. ITF materials will be distributed to support different activities.
Thailand
The ITF Thailand Coordinating Committee, comprised of nine affiliates will conduct a seminar on the 22-23 November 2007 for both women and men, on violence and harassment against women and children, the role of both men and women to stop violence and sexual harassment against women and children and relevant laws.
USA
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters will be distributing the ribbons to affiliates to mark the occasion.
Zambia
The National Union of Transport & Allied Workers will be marking the day for the first time by distributing ITF campaign ribbons and organising talks. Update: The union organised a rally followed by speeches to mark the event. Guest speakers at the event included the Minister in charge of gender, representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations, the union chairperson and the acting Vice-President who is also the Defense Minister.
Zimbabwe
Affiliates will join the events coordinated by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union on a national level.
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