09 Oct 2006 -
International Road Transport Action Week 2006

Spain
ELA-Hainbat has organised a series of activities during the Action Week. More than 50 people have taken part in short courses organised by the union in different transport companies. Meetings have also been organised by the union in the transport companies to explain about the ITF Campaign and distribute information under the slogan "Organising Globally, Building Union Power". Furthermore the union is distributing information on the new driving licence regulations that came into force in July and demanding road safety and professional licences. The union has already distributed some 12,000 forms and information sheets on health and safety, as well as leaflets in transport companies in order to raise awareness among workers on these issues. (Email report by Esteban Pereda)

Uganda
The ATGWU has today organised an event outside the union's project office at the Malaba Border Post on the Uganda-Kenya border. Union activists distributed leaflets with messages about HIV/AIDS and health and safety to the local community and also organised a meeting for professional drivers. More than 130 drivers and members of the local community attended the meeting, as well as representatives from the local authority and a community police representative. (Phone report by Ouma Mugeni)

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Canada
Organisers from CAW's Local 4268 have been approaching transport workers in Ontario this week. They have targeted five specific companies in school bus and waste management in their attempt to recruit members into the union. Local 4268 will organise a border action tomorrow at Niagara Falls and leaflet the drivers. (Phone report by Len Poirier)

Hong Kong
Members of the FTO in Hong Kong are holding activities for road transport workers' families this week. They are approaching both members and non-members to foster better relations between them. A barbeque is planned on 15 October. The union also had a strategy meeting on integrators during the week. (Email report by Yu-loy Wong)

Zambia
NUTAW in Zambia has invited ministers to go with the union to Chualva (border with Mozambique) to see the problems that drivers are encountering. Ten union members are visiting various depots around the country to speak to truck drivers about the dangers of driving too many hours and of the benefits of joining a union. (Phone report by Andrew Banda)

Thailand
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority State Enterprise Workers' Union has organised their activity today at their bus depot in the Klongtoev area near the Bangkok port. Members of LU-ETA and other Thai affiliates have joined the actions which included leafleting, an exhibition, the display of banners and posters and a demonstration. The union targeted passengers, drivers, conductors and office workers in the area. More activities are planned by the Thai affiliates on 13 October. (Email report by Su-angcana Tungworachet)

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View Campaign leaflet >>

France
CGT started their Action Week activities on 9 October with the release of a press statement in Pays de Loire and a meeting with the local government representatives on the issues of fatigue. On 10 October, members of the union distributed leaflets and organised a press conference in the north of France. On 11 October, the union distributed more than 2,000 leaflets in 3 hours to drivers at the Chamant motorway tollgate north of Paris. On 12 October the union distributed leaflets at Amiens and Compiègne and met with local government representatives in Bourgogne and in the Alps. On 13 October, the union plans to distribute leaflets in Normandy and meet with the region's government representative to discuss issues related to the Campaign. There will be a press conference on working conditions. A delegation from the union also participated in the ETF demonstration in Brussels on 10 October. (Email report by Patrick Vancraeyenest)

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New Zealand
The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers in New Zealand have been engaging drivers at the Mt Maunganui and Sulpher point wharfs in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Members of the union have distributed leaflets and pamphlets in order to inform workers about the union and its work on improving transport workers' conditions.
(Email report by Kelvin Rush)

Philippines
The NTU has organised a motorcade through Manila with stops at several government offices including the LTFRB in Quezon City and the Metro-Manila Development Authority in Mandaluyong City. A second motorcade has been organised in Bacolod City, which is due to end at the Taytay Terminal where a forum will be held to discuss transport issues with the public. (Email report by Bren Sayasa)