ETF Rivercruise

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Please click at the bottom of this page, under related documents, on the pdf-link to download the ETF Rivercruise leaflet, available in 10 languages.

ITF / ETF RIVER CRUISE PROJECT WORKING GROUP

RIVERCRUISE CAMPAIGN

To all workers in the inland cruise sector Business is booming in the European river cruise sector, with around 200 boats and ships attracting record numbers of passengers. However, many workers on these vessels are not enjoying any of the rewards they are helping create.

If you work on one of these vessels you have the right to be treated as a crew member, whether you're one of the maritime crew who navigate it or the service crew who deals with passengers (for example, cleaning cabins, preparing and serving food or working in other passenger assistance/entertainment functions).

Inland cruise fleets are growing and among some of them the resulting competition has led to costs being cut. Crews have reported that this can lead to:

Fewer people serving more passengers
Overcrowding of cabins, with up to four people sharing one small room
Recruitment of workers from abroad who have had to pay crewing agents in their home countries to find them a job
Harder work and longer hours
Different wages for the same job, depending on which country the worker is from
A lack of medical and other social security provisions

For years trade unions have fought against conditions like these on ocean going ships and now they are determined to prevent the inland cruise sector lowering its standards. The ITF, and its European arm the ETF, have launched a campaign to fight against unfair competition, and for decent living and working conditions on board vessels operating in this highly successful business.

With your help we can defend the rights of the 20,000 people working on European river cruise vessels. You can help yourself by joining a trade union. Below you will find the contact details for unions that will protect your rights, irrespective of your nationality, race, or gender.

We are here to help you to protect your safe and fair employment.

7 GOOD REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN A UNION ...

1. Your representative

The union represents you (negotiates on your behalf) on issues like salary, living conditions, leave, hours of work and rest and social security matters.

2. Legal advice

Your union will provide a European network of lawyers who can provide free and immediate advice to full members on employment-related matters.

3. Workplace support

Your union, as well as the ETF/ITF, provides expert advice on work-related problems such as contracts, redundancy, bullying or discrimination, non-payment of salary and sick leave.

4. Safety and welfare

Your union, as well as the ETF/ITF, plays a vital role in national and international discussions concerning hours of work, manning levels, shipboard conditions, vessel design and technical and training standards.

5. Saving

Being a member of a union allows you to profit from various discounts, like travel and specialist insurance and many other special offers. These savings might be more than the monthly union contribution.

6. Help is near

As a member of a union, help is around the corner - wherever you are in Europe. There are union offices in every main town on the Rhine and Danube. Union officials make regular shipboard visits to their members, and support and advice is available through Europe's union network (of colleagues in Europe).

7. Your union, your voice

Your union is the voice of its members working in the river cruise industry, as well as the union for the shipping industry. And the more members there are - the stronger your voice.

Join a union - it makes sense!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

THE NETHERLANDS

ITF The Netherlands
Zuidplein 113D
3083CN Rotterdam
ITF European Cruise Ship Coordinator
Tel: +31 10 2151166
Fax: +31 10 4233933
E-mail: touwen-ruud@itf.org.uk / ruud.touwen@orange.nl

Nautilus NL
Schorpioenstraat 266
3067 KW Rotterdam
Tel: +31 10 4771188
Fax: +31 10 4773846
E-mail: rpauptit@nautilusNL.org

SWITZERLAND

Gewerkschaft Unia
Rebgasse 1
CH-4005 Basel
Tel: +41 61 686 73 96
Fax: +4161 686 73 05
E-mail: nick.bramley@unia.ch

AUSTRIA

Gewerkschaft vida
Johann-Böhm-Platz 1
A - 1020 Wien
Tel: + 43 154 641
Fax: + 43 153454 1325
E-mail: gunter.lehninger@aon.at

GERMANY

ver.di
Fachgruppe Schifffahrt
Paula-Thiede-Ufer 10
D-10179 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)130 69 56 26 32
Fax: +49 (0)130 69 56 38 20
Email: karl-heinz.biesold@verdi.de

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European Social Legislation | Other European Policies | European Social Dialogue

Other pages for ETF Rivercruise:
Rivercruise Campaign Journal | Questionnaire 2010

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