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Workers develop plans to strength trade unions in Colombia
2 June 2009
Representatives of Colombian’s transport unions met in Cartagena from May 27 - 29, to carry out the general assembly of the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores del Transporte, SNTT.
The objective of the meeting was to develop in the short term, a working plan to consolidate the SNTT with all transport sectors of the country (road transport, off-shore, seafarers, public transport, railways and ports).
This strengthening is necessary because currently, in Colombia, there are more than 1 million transport workers who don’t have labor rights or fair wages, with working days of 18 hours.
The general assembly has been the participation of Antonio Fritz, Regional Secretary of the ITF Americas and Héctor Vázquez of the Escuela Nacional Sindical de Medellín.
One aspect that stood out of the meeting was the participation by new organizations, which are interesting in taking part of SNTT, such as bus drivers' unions and workers of land transport Terminals, commented Esteban Barboza, SNTT vice president.
Antonio Fritz, ITF Regional Secretary said: "the Colombian trade union movement is becoming more active. Workers understand that is necessary to be together to improve their wages and living conditions, the SNTT is an example of this. We are certain that SNTT will have the ability to unite the transport workers around the country. "
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