11 Oct 2004 -
International Road Transport Workers Action Day 2004
Road Transport 2004 Latest News 13/10/04
TitleBreaking Campaign News Breaking News No. 12 23:00 GMTColombiaIn Cartagena, Colombia, the taxi union, SICONTAXCAR actively particpated in the work stoppage on 12 October called by the Worker's Labour Center. 1,000 leaflets were distributed to taxi workers, as well as to bus drivers and passengers. According to the local authorities, 70% of public transport in Cartagena was paralysed by the action. Visits to taxi stations were also organised, for example at the main bus terminal, in order to raise awareness of the ITF's Action Day and issues related to fatigue.
CanadaIn British Columbia, Canada, the Local Community Based Organizer (CBO) Murray Gore and the CAW’s Local 114 Vice-President Gord McGrath visited weight stations and fuel stops to discuss health and safety issues with road transport workers during the Action Day. Currently the trucking industry in Canada has successfully lobbied for the expanded "Hours of Work" for long haul drivers and owner operators. Bill Gaucher, Local 114, CAW says, “For us, the ITF Action Day is an excellent opportunity to get out and speak to professional drivers. It doesn't matter if they are unionised or non-union. We can explain what the ITF is and why all of us have a common goal and interests. The issues are very well laid out in the ITF materials and these posters and postcards are great handouts to let everyone know that long hours of work is a global issue, not just a Canadian one”
JapanZenkowan, an affiliate of the ITF's Japanese dockers' federation Zenkoku Kowan distributed 50,000 leaflets at 62 container terminals all over Japan on 13 October. The union message highlighted the importance of securing the safety for transporting sea containers on the road and urged the Japanese government to set legal regulations which will clearly stipulate shippers' responsibilities to ensure the safety issues concerned. More actions are planned by the dockers' unions and the seafarers' union, JSU on 14 October
CyprusThe Federation of Transport, Petroleum and Agricultural Workers in Cyprus successfully organised a seminar in the evening of 12 October where 40 professional drivers took part to discuss "fatigue kills" issues and the ITF's Action Day. The union invited an expert on road accidents who congratulated the unionists for taking part in this campaign as it would raise awareness of drivers on their health and safety issues
FranceMembers of CGT Transports distributed leaflets in Normandy in the early hours of 11 October informing drivers of their rights. On 12 October, representatives of CGT Transports joined the picket organised by the British colleagues from the TGWU at Dover
|
