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Eduardo Chagas, newly elected general secretary of the ITF’s European arm, the ETF, sets out his stall for the next four years

The role of trade unions is by nature one of “counter power”, defending the weak, challenging unacceptable standards in workers’ living and working conditions, fighting discrimination and exclusion. The evolution of this critical role was the focus of the second ordinary congress of the ETF, which was held in Aland, Finland at the end of May, hosted by the Nordic Transport Workers’ Federation and our Finnish affiliates.

During the congress, more than 450 delegates and advisors from 131 unions in 34 countries reviewed the progress we have made in the past four years and set new guidelines and priorities for ETF action in the next mandate.

The inescapable global and European context for our work is that neo-liberalism and market rules now prevail to the detriment of social and environmental concerns. A number of challenges await the transport unions: industrial changes, including rapid development of the logistics sector, attacks on the public service character of some transport modes, obstacles to workers’ unionisation, liberalisation, privatisation, social dumping and more.

Improving women’s representation

One clear issue that demands to be addressed concerns the lack of visibility of women transport workers, whose participation in the industry is likely to grow considerably in the future. This message was driven home at the ETF women’s conference, which just preceded congress, and was underscored in the opening address of the ETF president, Wilhelm Haberzettl, who appealed for transport unions to organise and better represent the interests of women in the industry.

While encouraged to take up jobs and to increase their participation in the labour market, women in Europe still bear the bulk of home and family care responsibilities. Hence they find themselves not so much choosing as being forced to look for flexible work patterns, and often ready to sacrifice decent prospects and conditions in order to secure them.

It is clear that while employment patterns in the industry are changing, gender segregation and discrimination practices persist. The outcome of working group discussions at the women’s conference have formed the core of the ETF gender equality plan of action, which sets guidelines and recommendations for future work in this field.

Exporting solidarity

Other resolutions adopted at congress relate, among others things, to achieving a higher profile for the ETF in Europe, cabotage in road transport, and reinforcing trade union organisation and recruitment. ITF general secretary David Cockroft reminded delegates of the responsibility we hold for strengthening our unions to deal with the labour challenges that often roll out from Europe to the rest of the world. As he put it, “Neo liberal economics can be exported, but so too can strong trade union solidarity.”

We were honoured at congress with the presence of Luxembourg transport minister and chair of the EU Council of Transport Ministers Lucien Lux, who interestingly recalled the strategy of the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU during the first six months of 2005: competition, social cohesion and sustainable environment management, not forgetting safety for both transport workers and users. He commented: “European history clearly shows that Europe was and will be built with the social pillar and never to the detriment of it.”

Trade unionists would be happy to see more European governments embracing this kind of vision. Delegates have shown their commitment to defending their members by all possible means, and to improving their working and living conditions. They are convinced that this will happen only if the transport industry is able to reflect a proper balance of economic, social and environmental considerations.

The ETF will intervene at different levels to help bring this about – through lobbying combined with mobilisation, promoting social dialogue, and providing information and education for members. We will also continue to cooperate with the European and international trade union movement, and with NGOs and other organisations in civil society when necessary.

Eduardo Chagas was elected general secretary of the ETF at the ETF’s 2nd ordinary congress in Aland, Finland 25-26 May 2005.