Reflections: Readers’ priorities for 2005

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Like many of our sisters and brothers in civil aviation around the world, the US aviation industry is in economic crisis. The current US policy seems to be one of “let the free market place decide” the future of civil aviation in our country.

At AFA-CWA we are trying to create a public dialogue about the need for a rational aviation policy in the US. Our goal is to involve all stakeholders in this discussion – consumers and legislators as well as the workers. The idea that the workers have no choice about reducing wages and benefits if they want to save their airline, and by extension, their job, ignores the fact that we are not the only stakeholders in this industry.

Civil aviation plays a critical role in the economy of every nation. In the US, we do not have a fully developed rail transportation system, thus we rely on air transportation and the automobile.

If the free market philosophy results in the demise of one or more airlines, many communities will lose commercial air service. Last year alone, over 100 US communities lost all commercial service as a result of airline restructuring brought on by financial distress. We believe that the consequences of free market thinking must be the subject of public discourse and we will make that one of our major priorities for this year.

Pat Friend, AFA-CWA, US

I am a young seafarer from Cameroon and a researcher for the maritime union SYNAMAC.

As a seafarer and trade union activist, I believe that the priority in 2005 should focus on fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is affecting deeply the transport industry and more specially the maritime industry. With my Cameroon seafarer friends I think we should say no to HIV/AIDS in 2005.

Blaise Voufo, SYNAMAC, Cameroon

My priority issue for 2005 is to spread awareness about globalisation. Before now, things were already bad enough for workers, especially women. A majority of them know that their poverty level has increased, and the world of work is becoming more hostile. Cuts in public spending are increasing maternal morbidity, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, and so on. But why and how, they don’t understand. Workers can globalise solidarity only when they know how globalisation operates.

Halima Ibrahim, ATSSSAN, Nigeria

For us there are several priorities this year, but two big ones are: helping to defeat the second package of port reforms in Europe, and continuing our campaign to protect pension security at home. Rotterdam in July 2004 was the starting point for the pensions campaign, when 4000 port workers took part in a blockade of the port, creating a 50 km traffic jam.

Before this demonstration, we were struggling to change attitudes in our trade union movement, with members feeling there was nothing they could do to make a difference. But now we are engaged in pension package negotiations at the national level and we hope to conclude them favourably this year.

Meantime we are fully active in the Europe-wide trade union campaign against the EU’s second ports package. We are sending out postcards, using the internet and, if necessary, we will ballot for strike action against our government. One proposal is that we will target shipowners by creating two-hour delays at each port in a ship’s journey. This way we can build up a one-day delay quite easily, without our members having to lose a whole day’s pay.

We are also continuing our struggle against our government’s rejection of ILO convention 137, which for over 20 years guaranteed our port workers the protection of a register. Last October we secured a legal ruling against deratification, which obliged the government to re-introduce a register for port workers. But our own minister of social affairs was quoted as saying: “I don’t care what the judge said.”

This is what we are up against!

Niek Stam, FNV Bondgenoten, Netherlands

..in the NEXT ISSUE of TI:

Can unions help beat poverty?

Global unions including the ICFTU and the ITF have given their backing to a worldwide campaign aimed at holding governments to account for their promises to eradicate poverty. The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), launched at the World Social Forum in January (see news page 9) calls on world leaders to fulfil their commitments on trade justice, aid and debt cancellation.

The campaign provides an opportunity for trade unions to join with non governmental and other organisations in our ongoing work to promote the social dimension of globalisation and our demands for decent jobs for men and women worldwide.

The need to bring social justice and long-term sustainability to the forefront of economic governance drives our work as trade unions. It forces us to confront businesses – whether at the local, national or international level – who sacrifice these principles in the quest for short-term profits.

This month’s question for readers is:

“Do trade unions have a role in beating poverty? If so, what should that role be? If not, why not?”

Please send your brief comments by clicking the link below, or by joining the discussion on the ITF Bulletin Board.

Closing date: 5 May. Answers may be edited.

نماذج الرد عبر الشبكة

next issue ... Can unions help beat poverty? Global unions including the ICFTU and the ITF have given their backing to a worldwide campaign aimed at holding governments to account for their promises to eradicate poverty.

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Issue 19 April 2005

نسخة الرسومات الكاملة

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