Solidarity with Thai railway workers

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LATEST NEWS AND ACTION

15 August 2011: After SRUT union leaders receive dismissal letters, ITF General Secretary David Cockcroft wrote to the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra requesting his intervention.

View ITF General Secretary David Cockroft's letter here>>

12 August 2011: Transport unions in Japan and Norway stand in solidarity Thailand railway workers>>

3 August 2011: Court decision on Thai railway workers’ dismissals sparks criticism>>

28 July 2011: ‘Shock and disbelief’ greet Thai labour court decision>>

The ITF is calling on affiliated unions worldwide and colleagues in the global unions (view the letter at the bottom of this page) to support members of the State Railway Workers' Union of Thailand, SRUT, who refused to operate unsafe trains in 2009 and who are now as a result being unjustly punished by the management of State Railways of Thailand, SRT. On 28th July 2011, the Thai Labour Court ruled that seven SRUT officials can be dismissed and fined.

What you can do

It is imperative the union receives support in the next two weeks - the period under which an appeal can be filed against the court’s decision, and during which the SRT may try to pre-empt such an appeal by sacking the union officials.

Protest against the court’s decision by:

1. Arranging for a union delegation to visit the Thai diplomatic mission in your country within the next two weeks. For a list of embassies see here>>

See here for a model letter >>

2. Sending a e-protest to the Thai Government here >>

3. Sending a message of solidarity to SRUT >>

4. Raising safety issues at international rail industry forums such as the forthcoming International Railway Safety Conference (Melbourne, 16 - 21 October 2011)

5. Letting us know about your actions - send images and reports to urata_mac@itf.org.uk

The facts

In an unexpected decision on July 28th Thailand’s Labour Court found against seven SRUT national leaders for their part in a safety-related industrial action two years ago, paving the way for their dismissal and the levying of a THB15 million (USD505,000) fine. Affiliated railway unions from the Asia-Pacific region, which met on 29 and 30th July in Bangkok, believe the decision reflects an ongoing attempt to destroy the SRUT as an effective trade union and open the way to privatisation across the country’s state enterprises.

More information

ITF press statement “Shock and disbelief’ greet Thai labour court decision” >>
ITF emergency resolution calling on solidarity action by the ITF family>>
For background on this dispute and previous ITF action see here >>

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Related press:
4 November 2009
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15 January 2010
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18 January 2010
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5 February 2010
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25 February 2010
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28 July 2011
‘Shock and disbelief’ greet Thai labour court decision
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Solidarity with Thai railway workers

Other pages for Solidarity with Thai railway workers:
Emergency Resolution | Safety is not optional

Transport International Magazine

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