28 Apr 2009 -
Unions say No to Violence!

Spain
Members of the Spanish unions UGT and CC.OO distributed information, including the ITF leaflet on violence at work, to passengers and workers at bus and railway stations in key cities of the provinces throughout Spain. A leaflet, produced jointly by the two unions containing statistical information on workplace health and safety was also distributed. In the morning of 27 April, the day prior to the Action Day, the UGT sent out the information by email to its members and workers.
(Telephone report by Jesus Aguado Olmedo)

France
The CGT Transports has launched a 5 week campaign from 18 April as part of the ITF Action Day on violence at work. More than 200 union branches in public and private passenger transport have received the union’s questionnaire on violence at work. About 30 networks have also met with the local authority bodies to demand support for prevention measures, deterrents and regular monitoring of passenger service routes in order to reduce the number of attacks.  (Email report by Patrick Vancraeyenest)

Germany
Activists from GDBA and TRANSNET distributed a joint survey to passengers on public transport in 17 stations around Germany to raise awareness on violence at work.  More than 3,000 replies have been collected and the unions plan to present the results from the questionnaire to the German government.
(Email report by Peter Tröge)

Russia
The Trade Union of Railwaymen and Transport Construction Workers’ Union of Russia organised a round-table conference on 28 April on the subject “Unions Say No to Violence!”. The meeting adopted an appeal, which detailed the problems relating to the violence that railway workers are exposed to and also demanded that the regional authorities take part in the processes of legal regulation and practical implementation measures for public safety in the passenger transport sector. It was decided that letters should be sent to the Russian Railways management, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Russian Parliament on this matter. (Email report by Mikhail Lyakhov)

Zimbabwe
The ZARWU Health and Safety Committee has distributed "Voice Against Violence and Harassment Calendars" for 2009 on the commuter trains in the main centres, namely Bulawayo and Harare.  Commuters were very interested in the calendars and the subject of violence and harassment.
(Email report from Gideon Shoko)

Mauritius
The Government Servants’ Association organised a one-day workshop to mark the ITF Action Day.  Participants from sectors at high risk of accidents were invited to attend and resource persons from the Occupational Health and Safety Unit of the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Administrative Reforms were invited to participate. The workshop looked at the legal provisions that exist with regards health and safety at the workplace as well as the relevant procedures. It was agreed that education of workers on this issue should continue. All participants, together with the resource persons, took a pledge to contribute towards an accident free workplace. (Email report by M Ramchurrun)

Indonesia
The Indonesian Railway Workers’ Union (SPKA) organised their Action Day activities on 21 April in commemoration of Kartini Day – Kartini was an Indonesian heroine who fought for women’s emancipation. The commemoration ceremony was organised entirely by the women workers and included activities such as a stage play and quiz. During the day the ITF survey on workplace sexual harassment and violence for women workers in rail was distributed. In his address to the event, the President Director stated that women workers should be given the same opportunity to be elected as the union’s highest officials.
(Email report by Heity Ariaty)

India
The Southern Railway Mazdoor Union, affiliated to the AIRF, observed the ITF Action Day on 28 April at its zonal headquarters office in Chennai. A seminar was held for frontline staff who may encounter violence while performing their duties. More than 200 railway men and women attended the event which highlighted the difficulties faced by railway workers both at the stations and on trains. The ITF booklet on violence was distributed and a questionnaire on violence was circulated among participants. The possible reasons for violence taking place were examined and ways to avoid violence and to protect the rights of workers were assessed. (Email report by G. Eswarlal)

India
The South Central Railway Mazdoor Union, also affiliated to the AIRF, organised a seminar in Secunderabad in the evening of the Action Day.  Union officials and representatives from the South Central Railway addressed the meeting, which was attended by more than 300 railway workers. Speakers highlighted the violence that railway workers face and examined some of the reasons for this. The importance of training, education and awareness for workers and members of the public was stressed. It was vital that the unions and railways work together on this issue. Similar meetings were also held at the union’s divisional headquarters at Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur, Nanded as well as at various railway workshops.
(Email report by S.N.C. Ramakrishnacharyulu)

Bangladesh
Bangladesh Railway Employees League held a mass meeting at their head office in Dhaka, which was decorated with campaign banners and posters.  More than 300 BREL members including 40 women workers attended. Senior union officials including representatives from the Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress addressed the meeting and demanded proper security for railway workers. The importance of the ITF Action Day was highlighted and in addition to the message "Say No to Violence", the themes of "Stop Privatisation" and "Safety First Not Profit" were also discussed. The union also displayed posters and banners at various places including junction stations. After the meeting, a rally was held and union activists distributed ITF campaign materials to participants. (Email report by Rizwanur Rahman Khan)

Colombia
During negotiations of their collective bargaining agreement, the Asociacion Nacional de Servidores Publicos del Instituto Nacional de Vias presented information on the ITF Campaign “Unions Say No to Violence!” to the Transport Minister.  During the meeting, the union also raised enquiries about the proposed national register for transport workers. (Email report by Raul Soto Ariza)

Argentina
Union Ferroviaria has displayed the campaign poster in strategic locations so that workers and the public will be informed about the campaign. (Email report by Karina Benemerito)