Unions Say No to Violence

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محتوى الصفحة: Home > مجلة النقل الدولي "Transport International" > Issue 37 - October 2009 > Violence at Work > Unions Say No to Violence

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On 28 April 2009, almost 50 unions representing rail, bus and taxi workers in 37 countries came together for an action day organised by the ITF Railway Workers’ Section. The main theme for this event focussed on violence in public transport under the slogan “Unions Say NO to Violence”.

Various activities were organised by unions including conferences, exhibitions, negotiations with management, round-table symposiums, leafleting, rallies, union meetings, theatrical performances and work stoppages. Some unions held activities specifically for the action day. Others initiated longer-term campaigns. All highlighted the impact of violence on workers, their families as well as the public and demonstrated the need for action and solutions.

In Germany, more than 3,000 people replied to a joint nationwide survey carried out by GDBA and TRANSNET in 17 rail stations. The unions will present the results to the German government to raise awareness that more investment is needed in security. Workers in Norway represented by two ITF affiliates, NJF and NLF, successfully won an amendment to existing criminal law to extend protection to workers in the private sector, including railway, bus, metro and taxi firms, after the union engaged the government in talks to improve the plight of railway workers who were experiencing increasing violence, particularly at night. The TURWTCU in Ukraine organised events to raise awareness of violence at 169 railway stations throughout the country. A bilateral agreement was signed with the state social services in order to organise the action day and future activities on this issue.

Women members of the SPKA in Indonesia organised a stage play and quiz. During the day the ITF survey on workplace violence for women workers was distributed. As part of activities in Mongolia, the FMRWTU organised a meeting in front of Ulaanbaatar railway station under the slogan “Let’s Unite against Violence in the Workplace” and distributed 4,000 leaflets to international passengers. Unions affiliated to the Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Union (JRU) organised a nationwide campaign against violence and for safety on 28 April. Each union prepared flyers, banners and vests for activists to wear, on which slogans were written. About 30 trade unionists distributed 800 flyers to commuters at the JR Shinagawa Station in Tokyo in the morning rush hour. The JRU planned to distribute more than 23,000 flyers on the action day.

In Zambia, members of the NUTAW spoke to drivers and handed out information leaflets as they walked to Freedom Statue Square. The Tanzania Railway Workers Union organised their activities with ten other trade unions. 2,500 men and women wearing T-shirts and caps with messages to stop violence at work participated in a rally, which was led by the police brass band and was attended by government ministers, company representatives, NGOs and religious leaders.

The Barbados Workers’ Union held a discussion for workers to share their experiences. Literature was handed out to the general public and passengers in bus terminals, urging them to denounce violence. In Colombia, Anseinvias presented information on the ITF campaign to the transport minister during negotiations on their collective bargaining agreement.

www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/safetyfirst.cfm

Danish rail union negotiates solutions from employer and government

The Danish Railway Workers’ Union has negotiated an agreement with employers and government agencies to improve workers’ safety from violence.

After repeated attacks on lone ticket collectors on trains, the company has agreed to a minimum of two collectors per train. When there is a risk of rowdy crowds and group violence, for example after a football match, the company has agreed to hire security guards.

There is an improved communication system, including radios that connect to central control, especially in areas with bad mobile phone signals. The installation of video surveillance has also helped improve workplace security.

The union and employer have also initiated programmes to engage with schools, social service organisations and the police to educate and encourage a change in social behaviour.

The changes have taken place thanks to a cooperative agreement reached between the unions, employers and government. This took effect in 2007, and in 2008 it was extended to include legal penalties against offenders.

The agreement required the parties to set up works committees to identify the changes required in work organisation to improve safety. The agreement also set out a clear process for the handling of incidents. It includes the use of the government’s labour inspectorate to monitor the process.

Henrik Horup, vice president of the union, says: “There is a need for inter-union cooperation – especially the exchange of initiatives that work. Unions need to continue the struggle to create healthy and safe workplaces for the benefit of union members.”

Indian union maps violence to find solutions

The Southern Railway Mazdoor Union carried out a survey earlier this year, which led them to launch a workplace violence campaign.

Workers’ representative Uma Devi carried out the survey of workers at a number of local railway stations in the Chennai region. The activity took place as part of an ITF anti-violence seminar held in Mumbai.

The survey found the main problem for workers was dealing with angry customers, who took their frustrations out on railway staff especially when the ticketing system collapsed.

The female workers were identified as especially vulnerable. Members of the public were quickly turning violent when there were problems with the services. One female clerk was attacked because of late-running trains, and stones were thrown at the ticket office window. The customers turned into a mob, ransacking the office, stealing the money and physically threatening the booking clerk.

Another reservation clerk was attacked when carrying the day’s takings to the cashier’s office. The police did not offer support, but treated him as a suspect and tortured him. The union had to intervene to help.

This union’s small survey worked because it quickly identified the issues, found solutions and is now the basis of a joint campaign, thanks to excellent leadership by one workers’ representative. The union leadership is supporting the workers’ campaign and hopes it will achieve genuine improvements for workers.

Written by Eddie Dickson, ITF Inland Transport Sections assistant secretary

الصفحة الرئيسية للأقسام:
Issue 37 - October 2009

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