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Page context: International Road Transport Action Week 2007 > 2006 Activities
Information on activities organised by unions for the ITF International Road Transport Action Week in 2006:
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Spain
The Action Week started on 9 October with joint cross-border actions by CC.OO and UGT at La Jonquera (border with France), together with colleagues from the French union CFDT and Fuentes de Oñoro (border with Portugal), together with colleagues from the Portuguese union FESTRU to demand improvements in road freight transport safety. The events were preceded by press conferences in Madrid on 6 October as well as at the border points. Thousands of leaflets were distributed during intermittent blockades. Following these successful border actions, CC.OO and the Portuguese union FESTRU organised action at Ayamonte on the Spanish-Portuguese border on 10 October. More than 250 activists participated. Hundreds of transport workers also demonstrated for improvements in working conditions of professional drivers at the border points of Canfranc (Aragón), Ayamonte (Andalucía), Biriatu (País Vasco) and Tuy (Galicia).
Local activities were also organised by CC.OO around Spain. For example, on 9 October, the union distributed leaflets to drivers and passengers in the bus station in Cantabria. The union's information campaign continued on 10 October, with action in several locations including the port of Santander, the Canary Islands, Aragón, Murcia, Asturias, Navarre and Rioja. In Valencia, a seminar was organised on fatigue and in Madrid, a meeting was held for more than 100 union members on how to deal with fatigue. In Castilla-Mancha, the union visited workplaces and distributed information to workers. In the run-up to the campaign, regional union branches also organised research about fatigue and driving in each province. Media coverage of the union's campaign activities was very good.
ELA-Hainbat organised a series of activities during the Action Week. More than 50 people took part in short courses organised by the union in different transport companies. Meetings were also 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 distributed information on the new driving licence regulations that came into force in July and demanded road safety and professional licences. The union distributed more than 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.
Belgium
More than 150 activists from road transport unions gathered at Rond-Point Schuman in Brussels in a rally organised by the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) in the morning of 10 October. Members from OGB-L, FNCTTFEL, SYPROLUX(Luxembourg), FNV Bondgenoten (Netherlands), CGT Transports, CFDT (France) and BTB, ACV-Transcom (Belgium), together with Beatrice Hertogs, ETF met with the senior officials in the European Commission to raise their serious concerns over safe and adequate rest facilities in the European European states as well as on issues related to social dumping.
Luxembourg
OGB-L in Luxembourg released a press statement on 6 October, which has published in newspapers over the weekend before the Action Week. As part of a new initiative, on 9 October and 16 October the union held special training courses for members on driving time legislation in Esch-sur-Alzette. The seminars also discussed the Action Week and issues related to the campaign. More than 40 drivers attended each seminar.
Germany / Poland
Members of ver.di, together with their colleagues from the Polish union, Solidarnosc organised joint leafleting at the Frankfurt / Swiecko border in the morning of 10 October. 40 union members distributed more than 500 leaflets in nine different languages to drivers. The unionists spoke to the drivers about the ITF's worldwide campaign and the unions' efforts to improve working conditions.
Germany
Ver.di distributed 10,000 campaign leaflets to its members, transport workers and members of the public during the Action Week.
Switzerland
On 9 October, the Swiss unions UNIA and SEV, together with the postal union GeKo, organised a joint action at the Grauholz motorway services. Union members handed out a joint union leaflet to drivers. Drivers that the unions spoke to revealed several important issues relating to their working conditions including working hours in excess of the state regulations, insufficient rest areas and the existence of social dumping. On 11 October, UNIA organised joint action with the German union, ver.di at the border in Basel (Weil).
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 in the north of France distributed leaflets and organised a press conference. 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 distributed leaflets in Normandy and met with the region's government representative to discuss issues related to the campaign. A press conference was held on working conditions.
Norway
The Norsk Transportarbeiderforbund began its recruitment campaign week on 9 October. More than 300 ITF posters were distributed nationwide and various national events were held throughout the Action Week. Activities included union information stands at border points, meetings at companies and distribution of ITF and union information out on the road. As a result, the union recruited many new members. The union estimates that it met more than 500 drivers during the Week. Fifteen of the union's branches participated in the campaign activities and the union programme culminated on 12 October with actions at ports and borders. Union activities were covered by TV and radio during the Week.
Sweden
Members of the Swedish Transport Workers' Union participated in the ITF's action campaign for a week. Unionists set-up information stands at strategic points such as rest areas and ports and talked to professional drivers - an increasing number of whom are foreign drivers. In the southern port of Ystad, where ferries cross the Baltic Sea to Poland, union activists organised a joint action with the Polish Solidarnosc members and approached drivers using the ferries.
Estonia
On 10 October, the Estonian Transport & Road Workers Trade Union (ETTA) organised action on seven main roads around the country, including in Tallinn, Pärvu and Tartu. Members of the union spoke to approximately 300 truck drivers and distributed a fatigue checklist and information about the national legislation on driving and rest time. Customs and police officials inspected vehicles. In preparation for this action, on 9 October, the union held an awareness event for truck, bus and urban transport drivers. Two police officers spoke to the drivers about rest time and demonstrated how to use a tachograph. On 13 October, truck drivers from the British union, the T&G visited Estonia and attended a seminar, organised by ETTA on the new driving and rest time regulations due to be introduced in April 2007. On 14 October, members of the union visited rest facilities, together with their British colleagues.
Lithuania
The Lithuanian Transport Trade Union Forum met with the employers' organisation, LINAVA on 13 October. The meeting signed a historic bilateral collaboration agreement, which aims to develop social dialogue.
Jordan and Palestine
The ITF's road transport workers' unions in Jordan and Palestine took part in the campaign for the first time by organising simultaneous rallies in Amman and the West Bank. At a busy truck stop where goods to and from Palestine are delivered, the General Union of Road and Mechanic Workers held a meeting with representatives from the union, national labour centre and a local NGO, expressing their solidarity towards the Palestine workers. Mac Urata and Bilal Malkawi represented the ITF. The other ITF affiliates in Jordan also contributed towards the organisation of this event. In the meantime, the General Union for Transport Workers in Palestine mobilised more than 100 participants to a peaceful rally in the West Bank, demanding an urgent improvement to the appalling working conditions of the professional drivers and the never-ending harassment from the authorities. Urata and Malkawai pledged to the unions that the ITF and its affiliates will continue to offer its support to the road transport workers and their trade unions in the region.
Iran
Members of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed) joined the ITF's Action Week for the first time by distributing ITF materials to bus workers in the morning of 11 October. ITF campaign guidelines and other documents were translated into Farsi locally in advance. The union thanks the ITF and its affiliates worldwide for their continued support.
Mongolia
The Mongolian Transport, Communication & Petroleum Workers' Union organised a series of information meetings to mark the campaign. A press conference was held with the participation of the unions at the Autobus-3 and Tsakhilgaan Teever (Electric Transport) companies. An “open microphone” meeting was also held, organised by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Tourism and with the participation of representatives from the public and freight transport agency authorities, traffic police officers, road transport inspectors, drivers and conductors. Reports were given on road accidents, actions taken to reduce traffic jams, and transport coordination policy. The union gave an update on activities organised in the scope of the ITF campaigns. Road transport workers hired by tourist agencies and Aero Mongolia workers also attended the meeting to publicise trade union activity. In the run-up to the campaign, the union had conducted a survey of more than 300 bus and microbus drivers, conductors, controllers and road transport inspectors about the ITF campaign, problems facing workers, and possible solutions – issues that were revealed included traffic jams, poor roads, high fuel prices and thefts. A request for equal passenger fares and a reduction in fuel prices was submitted to the Ulaanbaatar City Mayor and the Ulaanbaatar City citizens representative.
Japan
Bus members of the JRU joined the ITF’s Action Week on 12 October under the slogan "Say no to deregulation. Let’s abolish accidents from overwork". On a chilly morning in Hokkaido, 1,000 leaflets were distributed by the union members. In Sendai and Aomori, more leafleting took place at major rail stations. In Tokyo, the union’s action was joined by the representatives of Koun Rokyo, the Japanese Transport Unions’ Council. The participants appealed to the public that the union movement must be at the forefront of stopping the vicious circle that is created by deregulation. Altogether, more than 5,000 flyers were delivered by the union during the day.
Hong Kong
Members of the Federation of Hong Kong Transport Workers' Organizations held activities for road transport workers' families during the Action Week. They approached both members and non-members to foster better relations between them. A barbeque was arranged on 15 October. The union also organised a strategy meeting on integrators during the week.
Thailand
The Transport Company Ltd State Enterprise Employees' Union (TRAN-U) organised activities at their biggest bus depot and compound on the North & Northeastern Line. Targeting passengers, bus drivers, bus hostesses and workers at the Transport Company, the union held a demonstration and exhibition at the depot and compound, and also displayed banners and posters.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority State Enterprise Workers' Union organised their activity on 12 October at their bus depot in the Klongtoev area near the Bangkok port. 50-60 members of the State Enterprise Labour Union of Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (LU-ETA) and other Thai affiliates joined the actions, which included leafleting, an exhibition, the display of banners and posters and a demonstration to campaign on the issue of fatigue and introduction of an 8-hour working day. The union targeted passengers, drivers, conductors and office workers in the area.
On 13 October, LU-ETA together with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority State Enterprise Workers' Union, organised activity at Asoke Expressway Toll Station. It is one of the busiest stations and the gateway to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Union activists distributed leaflets and displayed banners and posters to raise awareness about the campaign and the ITF.
Philippines
The National Transport Workers' Union organised a procession of vehicles through Manila with stops at several government offices including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Quezon City and the Metro-Manila Development Authority in Mandaluyong City. A second motorcade was organised in Bacolod City, which ended at the Taytay Terminal where a forum was held to discuss transport issues with the public. On 10 October, the union, together with other transport groups, held a meeting to discuss a common position on the issue of proposed fare reductions by the LTFRB in response to a decrease in oil prices. The meeting also called for a reduction in fines and penalties. In Manila, members of the union visited transport workers at worksites, inviting them to a major vehicle caravan that the union organised in several locations including the capital on 12 October.
A colourful rally was organised by the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) in Cagayan de Oro City during the Action Week. Union activists, who were wearing union campaign t-shirts and carrying placards, banners and blowing whistles, were accompanied by buses decorated with campaign material and banners with the message “Fatigue Kills!” During the procession, members distributed campaign leaflets to drivers, conductors, road users and passengers. The procession stopped en route at two major bus terminals in Agora and Bulua where speeches were made and leaflets distributed. Union activities culminated with a visit to the manager of Rural Transit who expressed full support to the campaign objectives. Media coverage of the activities was good.
India
The Transport & Dock Workers' Union organised their campaign activities on 10 and 12 October. On 10 October, the union staged meetings at the Port Trust call stands, container freight stations, railway container depots, and truck terminals to explain to workers the significance of the ITF campaign against fatigue, long working hours and union busting. ITF Educators were key resource persons in disseminating information on ILO Convention 153 and other related laws. Banners were displayed on arterial roads leading to the Port Trust and entrances to truck terminals, container freight stations, and foot overbridges. Approximately 2,000 leaflets were distributed. On 12 October, more than 500 transport workers marched to the Port Administration Building in Ambedkar Bhawan and staged Dharna (sit-in protest action) between . Participants then visited the port canteens to protest against the ban on transport contract workers from entering the canteens to have a glass of water. After the dharna, activists then took part in a procession, which culminated in a rally at the union building. During the rally, the entire transport operations in the port ground to a halt for 2 hours. Memorandums were submitted to the Port Authorities, Inspectorate of Dock Safety and Ministry of Labour for action on ratification of ILO Convention 153.
On 12 October, the Adarsha Auto & Taxi Drivers Union organised an impressive rally of over 300 auto rickshaw drivers in Bangalore. The Inspector General of Police was the chief guest. Union leaders demanded that the authorities allow reserved spaces for auto rickshaw stands outside all bus stations in the city. The union also demanded that the police authorities should not harass drivers and detain them on pretexts of incomplete documents and pollution emission certificates. The Police Commissioner assured the meeting that within 2-3 months the authorities would introduce a 'master pass' which would be the only document the drivers would have to carry. The Commissioner lauded the efforts of the union for initiating various welfare schemes for the auto drivers. Many new drivers were issued driving licences free of charge by the transport authority at the meeting and some drivers pledged to donate their eyes to an eye bank after their deaths.
On 10 October, the Roadways Mazdoor Sabha organised a seminar to highlight various issues affecting the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation workers. Speakers demanded that working hours for drivers and conductors be reduced, particularly on those routes which have been out-sourced by the state on a contract basis. These contract drivers and conductors work up to 12-14 hours a day as their earnings are dependent on the total collection they achieve at the end of the day. The seminar also highlighted that the accident rate is increasing. The union also filed a case in the court highlighting violation of workers' rights on working hours. Similar seminars also took place in the state capital Lucknow on 11 October and in Allahabad on 13 October.
In Jabalpur, the Indian National Road Transport Workers' Federation submitted a memorandum to the Assistant Labour Commissioner on 9 October, which demanded, among other things, the strict enforcement of the Motor Transport Workers Act, regulation of the working hours of drivers and other crew, the provision of other privileges such as medical facilities, uniforms, canteens, rest rooms and holiday, and a ban on child labour. A second memorandum was submitted to the Labour Ministry demanding that ILO Convention 153 be ratified. The union also urged the State Chief Minister to review the closure of the Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and to undertake a judicial enquiry into the cases of corruption and financial irregularity relating to the closure. Hundreds of union workers holding placards and shouting slogans marched through the city to the District Collector's office. Other activities held during the Action Week included a seminar on "Organising the Unorganised Road Transport Workers", which agreed that the union should distribute information about trade union rights and welfare legislation at workplaces, petrol pumps and halting stations, and that the union should target designated areas where unorganised workers are located to create awareness regarding their rights. A demonstration and public meeting was held at the Pt Deendayal Upadhayay bus stand to highlight local issues for road transport workers including harassment by police officials and corruption. The campaign material was displayed in the union office and a group discussion was held to inform workers about the ITF and the Action Week campaign. Media coverage of activities was very good.
Nepal
The Nepal Yatayat Mazdoor Sangh took part in the Action Week with a range of activities throughout the country including vehicle rallies, blood donations and clean-up exercises. All District Committees leafleted bus drivers at depots and highways. The Nepal Trade Union Congress, as well as the traffic police, civil societies and bus entrepreneurs association were involved in the programme. Media coverage was excellent. Activists livened-up the rallies by chanting slogans. Many participants expressed their satisfaction to the union's events.
Pakistan
More than 400 members of the Pakistan Transport Workers' Federation, including 100 women, participated in a rally organised by the union in Lahore on 9 October. Participants wore the ITF yellow decken and the union distributed copies of the campaign poster. During the rally the union protested against the government policy of privatization, downsizing and deregulation of public and private organisations, and highlighted the importance for unions to be fully involved in the implementation of safety procedures. The former State Minister for Labour, Manpower & Overseas who attended the event declared that he would forward all road transport workers’ demands to the Prime Minister with his recommendation and praised the ITF Campaign as an opportunity for workers to present their demands in a peaceful way. Media coverage of the event was good. Rallies were also held in Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshwar.
The All Pakistan Civil Transport Workers' Union organised a two-day seminar at the union office in Faisalabad. The seminar discussed the ITF Action Week campaign and related issues including HIV/AIDS, health and safety, road safety, human rights and women’s rights.
New Zealand
Rail & Maritime Transport Union workers engaged with drivers at the Mr Mauganui and Sulpher point wharfs in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty. Members of the union distributed leaflets and pamphlets in order to inform workers about the union and its work on improving transport workers' conditions.
Australia
Delegates and organisers of the Australian Services Union held education meetings throughout the country during the Action Week and distributed the campaign posters and flyers. These activities were designed to finalise the union's action plans for the International Action Day on Integrators on
Uganda / Kenya
The Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union in Uganda organised an event outside the union's project office at the Malaba Border Post on the Uganda-Kenya border on 12 October. Celebrations started at with a march from the SafeTStop offices of the Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers’ Welfare Association to the SafeTStop offices of the ATGWU, where a rally was held. Participants carried posters, placards, banners and wore t-shirts and aprons with campaign messages in both English and Swahili, which advocated making the roads safer through respect for workers’ rights and enhancing HIV/AIDS awareness. More than 130 truck drivers and members of the local community attended the meeting, as well as representatives from the local authority, the district health department, FHI, URA, clearing and forwarding agencies and a community police representative. Union activists distributed leaflets with messages about HIV/AIDS and health and safety to the local community and also distributed whistles to traffic police. The event ended at with entertainment from local youth groups and a choir who performed music, dance and drama to communicate the problems and challenges truck drivers face and the issue of HIV/AIDS. Media coverage of the event was good.
Zambia
The National Union of Transport and Allied Workers (NUTAW) invited ministers to accompany the union to Chualva (border with Mozambique) to see the problems that drivers are encountering. Ten union members visited 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.
Ethiopia
The Transport & Communications Workers' Trade Unions Industrial Federation used the Action Week to organise unorganised workers and to introduce the ITF and its strategic objectives to workers and members, as well as the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU). A team of activists from the union, wearing the yellow decken, distributed information and publicity material and interviewed truck drivers along a 240 kilometre route to the Awash check-point in central Ethiopia. The union also organised a tripartite panel discussion on three major issues: the right to freedom of association; safety and security in road transport and the role of workers; and HIV/AIDS in the transport sector. Representatives from trade union organisations, the Employers’ Federation, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Public Enterprise Authorities, the Federal Transport Authority and other stakeholders attended this event. Following the panel discussion, a media conference, facilitated by Radio Fana International, was held on the problems for trade unions in the private sector.
Mauritius
On 9 October, 15 members of the Transport Corporation Employees' Union distributed cards, posters, stickers and ITF magazines to more than 450 bus drivers and conductors at the big transport companies in the capital, namely the National Transport Corporation, the United Bus Service, the Triolet Bus Service and Rose Hill Transport. On 10 October, a union delegation met the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport to discuss traffic congestion and bus lanes. At on 11 October, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport opened a two-day workshop in Quatre-Bornes on substance abuse and prevention at the workplace, organised by TCEU in collaboration with NATReSA. The workshop also discussed issues related to HIV/AIDS. Approximately 250 participants attended, as well as the National Minister of Social Security. During the first day of the workshop, participants distributed some 4,500 male and female condoms and 500 DVDs to workers at the National Transport Corporation. Information on the treatment and testing of HIV/AIDS was distributed to transport workers and companies on 13 October.
West Africa border event
ITF affiliates from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Guinée Conackry participated in the West African Action Week celebration in Bamako on 9 October, hosted by La Coordination Nationale des Syndicats et Associations des Chauffeurs et Conducteurs du Mali. The event started with a rally at the largest taxi / bus park in Bamako. More than 300 drivers and their assistants heard about the problems of cross-border travel, corruption and HIV/AIDS and the challenges needed to overcome these issues. The event then moved to a truck park where a meeting of more than 150 rank and file long-distance truck driver members was held. Drivers expressed their anger over problems of border corruption, bribery, police harassment and inadequate rest facilities and blew their ITF campaign whistles in unison. Affiliates used the meeting to relaunch the ITF International Drivers' Card in order to provide assistance to long-distance truck drivers. The ITF was represented at the West African celebration by Eddie Dickson and Nazi Kabore.
Ghana
Affiliates in Ghana held their national programme on 4 October. The General Transport, Petroleum & Chemical Workers' Union of TUC, the Private Road Transport Union and the Maritime and Dockworkers' Union of TUC organised leafleting in busy areas of Accra. A meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Transportation, the Intercity STC Coaches Limited and the National Road Safety Commission was also held. Media coverage and public interest were very good. Unions requested that transport owners employ two drivers per vehicle and called for ratification of ILO Convention 153. For the first time, union members from several different regions joined the events in the capital.
Togo
The Syndicat des Professionnels Routiers du Togo (SYPROTO) used the Action Week to challenge the government's political action of withdrawing the union's registration. Union activists informed drivers at gas stations and truck stops that the union will continue to organise and agitate for transport workers' rights.
Burkina Faso
The Union des Chauffeurs routiers du Burkina (UCRB) and Syndicat National des Transporteurs Routiers de Voyageurs (SNTRV-B) held a three-day programme at a garage park to encourage HIV testing. In support of the policy of ITF West African road transport affiliates, drivers were encouraged to refuse to pay bribes demanded by government officials in regions where the union is active.
The Federation National des Taximen et des Travailleurs du Secteur des Transports du Burkina (FNTT/STB) organised a meeting on 9 October at the headquarters of the taxi workers’ national union in Ouagadougou. More than 100 people attended the meeting, which raised awareness on several issues related to the campaign including fatigue, road safety, HIV/AIDS, working conditions, and trade union unity. The meeting also discussed the problems of police harassment and fines that are levied.
Côte d'Ivoire
The Syndicat National des Chauffeurs de Transport Terrestre de Côte d'Ivoire (SYNACTT-CI) and Syndicat des Conducteurs de Taxis de Côte d'Ivoire (SCT-CI) combined their activities over a two-day period starting with a display of union banners alerting truck drivers to the Action Week. This activity was followed by a worker rally at a major truck stop combining both truck and taxi workers. Syndicat des Travailleurs de la SOTRA (SYNTRAS) met with their largest employer to reinforce the union policy that they were 'social partners' and to hold a discussion on the employment security of the workforce.
Niger
The Syndicat Libre de Conducteurs Routiers de Passagers du Niger (SLCRPN), Syndicat National des Conducteurs Routiers Voyageurs du Niger (SNCRVN) and Syndicat Unique des Conducteurs de Taxis du Niger (SUCOTAN) held membership sensitisation meetings to report on regional union and ITF activities.
Guinée Conakry
Fédération Nationale des Transports et Marins Pêcheurs de Guinée (FENATRAMP.G) organised information activities at the Port of Conakry to support the road transport organising campaign.
Burundi
The Syndicat des Travailleurs des Transports participated in the Action Week for the first time with sensitisation sessions explaining the ITF Campaign at the Port of Bujumbura and at local truck parks, culminating in a party for drivers. Government officials were invited to attend.
Morocco
The Union des Syndicats UMT des Transports mobilised road transport members and activists throughout the country to participate in the Action Week. Activities took place in several cities including Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Berrchid, Oud.Zem, Kalat Seraghna and Beni Mallal. The union’s campaign activities started in September with general meetings for transport workers including taxi, lorry and bus drivers to raise awareness about the campaign. Leaflets in Arabic and French with the main demands were distributed and campaign banners were displayed in various union buildings. A memorandum was sent to the Ministry of Transport. On 10 October, members of the union distributed campaign materials.
Mozambique
The Sindicato Nacional do Trabalhadores dos Transportes Rodoviário e Assistência Técnica (SINTRAT) celebrated the Action Week by organising a press conference on 13 October. ITF materials were introduced to participants at the press conference, which was also attended by the Minister of Transport.
Canada
Organisers from CAW's Local 4268 approached transport workers in Ontario during the Action Week. They targeted five specific companies in school bus and waste management in their attempt to recruit members into the union. Local 4268 also organised a border action on 14 October at Niagara Falls and Fort Erie and leafleted long-distance drivers.
Members of CAW Local 114 began their Action Week activities on 10 October. Unionists were out in Kamloops, Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland of Vancouver, speaking to drivers. Throughout the week, they approached road transport workers to hand out ITF materials as well as information from CAW about the benefits of belonging to a union.
USA
School bus workers from across the US honoured co-workers who had been injured or killed at work during a "Day of Remembrance", organised by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Service Employees' International Union on 12 October. School Bus Workers United, a national organisation of school bus drivers, attendants and mechanics who have formed or are working to form a union with the Teamsters or the SEIU asked that all school bus workers hold a moment of silence to honour co-workers who have lost their lives due to unsafe working conditions. Bus workers wore the School Bus Workers United sticker to show their support for improved safety standards in the school bus industry. The organisation sent a letter to FirstGroup and its subsidiary First Student, calling on the school bus company to investigate worker deaths or injuries caused by unsafe working conditions, and to correct any safety violations found. A Boston-area First Student worker died earlier from carbon monoxide poisoning while working in a poorly-ventilated area.
Mexico
Alianza de Tranviários de México (ATM) organised their campaign activities for road transport workers from different sectors, seeking to unionise the workers from the Mexico City Metro, taxi drivers, bus drivers, truck drivers, trolley bus drivers and fast train drivers. A series of information meetings was held during the week on 9-13 October with each group of worker. On 14 and 15 October, information meetings were held at four passenger transport terminals.
Honduras
Sindicato Nacional de Motoristas de Equipo Pesado de Honduras (SINAMEQUIPH) presented a document to the State Secretary for Work and Social Security in which the union demanded that government inspectors be assigned to carry out a survey among workers who transport products for the Honduras Brewery (SAB Miller Group). The union claims that cases of employees working more than 16 hours a day and causing accidents are evident in the company.
Brazil
The Federation of road transport workers in Sao Paulo (FETTRESP-CNTTT) organised a series of activities for the Action Week. Activists visited different bus and truck terminals on a mobile stage to organise meetings with groups of workers. The meetings informed workers about activities being developed worldwide and two doctors from the Ministry of Health talked about HIV/AIDS prevention. Condoms and T-shirts were distributed to drivers to raise awareness. On
In Paraná, FETROPAR-CNTTT held a seminar on 21-23 September to mark the campaign. The seminar, attended by 200 participants including representatives from the local authorities and road police, examined issues including health and safety of road transport workers and prevention of accidents.
Chile
Federación Nacional de Sindicatos de Conductores de Buses, Camiones, Actividades Afines y Conexas de Chile (FENASICOCH) started their activities for the Action Week on 6 October. Together with representatives from the Labour Ministry, the Federation visited important toll points to check the working hours of professional drivers. As a result many companies were fined by government officials because workers did not have the proper documentation or they had been working more hours than permitted by law. On 7 October, the Federation organised a meeting for its leaders from all over the country to discuss activities being coordinated during the Action Week. Gabriel Mocho, ITF attended the meeting. The Federation also visited different cities across the country during the Week to distribute fatigue prevention materials that had been developed with the national government to drivers.
Colombia
The Sindicato de Conductores de Taxis de Cartagena (SINCONTAXCAR) organised a rally. Activists, carrying posters and union banners, distributed campaign leaflets to the public.
Venezuela
The Sindicato Nacional Unión Universal de Marinos Mercantes de Venezuela, Afines y Conexos held a series of meetings with truck and taxi drivers during the Action Week to discuss their issues and concerns, and to inform them about the ITF and the “Fatigue Kills!” campaign. Campaign posters were displayed on walls near to the road terminals and leaflets were distributed.
Guatemala
Members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Direccion General de Transportes del Ministerio de Comunicaciones Infraestructura y Vivienda participated in a union march during the Action Week. Union activists who wore union t-shirts and carried banners and flags blew the campaign whistles to show solidarity with the campaign.
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