The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) and its member unions worldwide are holding a road action week to fight for safe, secure work. Itruns from 7 to 13 October in around 50 countries, including Belgium, where an international demonstration will be held on 9 October.
Road transport workers in both the passenger and freight sectors - who will be joined by colleagues from rail and other transport unions - will be campaigning for safe and decent work and against the deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation that have drastically changed the road and railway industries over past decades.
Among the countries in which unions are organising events are Angola, Argentina, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, India, France, Germany, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Turkey, USA, and Zimbabwe.
Events planned include rallies, border actions, information distribution, leafleting, approaches to governments and police, education activities, conferences andmarches.
Mac Urata, ITF inland transport sections secretary, commented: "This action week marks the continuation of the ITF international road transport action week campaign, which is now into its 15th year. Since the action week started in 1997, over a million trade union members on five continents have in one shape or form contributed to the campaign's success. Many unions have won new members, better recognition by employers or government, and have understood that they are not alone in their struggles."
He continued: "Under the theme of Transport Workers Fighting Back - Organising Globally! this week will allow unions to join together to focus on issues such as the globalisation crisis; strategic alliances for public services and sustainable transport; international solidarity; and strategic campaigning for workers' rights and global organising."
The action week includes these key dates:
·7 October, world day for decent work. The day when the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) and the Global Unions, including the ITF, demonstrate the importance of trade union solidarity in an increasingly globalised world economy. For more details see www.ituc-csi.org/world-day-for-decent-work.html
·9 October, ETF campaign for respect for professional drivers. As part of thiscampaign the ETF (European Transport Workers' Federation) will be holding a demonstration in the Place du Luxembourg, by the European Parliament in Brussels that is expected to attract transport trade unionists from across Europe. For more details see www.itfglobal.org/etf/etf-press-area.cfm and www.itfglobal.org/etf/etf-3596.cfm
·9 October, taxi workers' day. A day to highlight the specific problems of taxi workers and to increase the level of trade union organisation among them.
·11 October, solidarity day. While the majority of unions will have no problems organising their events during the action week, there remain countries where unions face bans and repercussions. In addition to highlighting local issues and demands, unions can show their support for those unions through solidarity action during the action week.
For more about the action week see www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/actionweek2012.cfm