07 Mar 2005 -
International Railway Workers' Action Day

16:15 GMT

Activists at Sopron

Austria/Hungary
GdEO of Austria and VDSzSz of Hungary combined activities with a special train that travelled from Sopron in Hungary to Wulkaprodersdorf in Austria. Officials from both unions gave solidarity speeches before the train was released by the General Secretary of the Hungarian union, Gysev Jonaz. The train had three major stops en route to inspect facilities, pick up more unionists and special guests from both the railways and political parties. At Wulkaprodersdorf a demonstration of over 100 persons took place at the railway station - the unions again offered solidarity speeches and presented an international locomotive driving licence to the President of the Rail Trade Association of WKO. A  press conference followed the demonstration.

Latvia
The Railway Workers' Action Day was utilised by the Latvian Railroad Trade Union (LdzA) to continue a series of meetings on railway employment and safety issues between the Minister of Transport, The Railway Corporation and the union.  These meetings are as a result of a train crash in which 4 people died. The union has used the Action Day Campaign  to inform the Minister of the many Health and Safety problems and to push for improved conditions. The union will be producing a special report this week for distribution to its members containing the written positions of the employer, government and union.

Zimbabwe
ZARU in Zimbabwe has organised meetings with workers and management to discuss health and safety issues at the four mechanical workshop centres in Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru and Mutare. These centres employ between 100 and 1,000 workers.

Senegal
In Senegal, the Syndicat National des Travailleurs du Petit Train de Banlieu has organised a visit to the railway workers at the depot in Dakar to discuss safety and other related issues.  Approximately 60 workers attended the event.