Issue No 115 | 12 October 2001 | |
NewsWorld Road Unions Unite To Deliver Decent Work
On International Road Transport Action Day on 15 October 2001, unions belonging to the International Transport Workers' Federation in 60 countries will promote the message that "Fatigue Kills". At the same time they will be galvanizing a mass campaign to unite road transport workers worldwide and fight for improved conditions. Road transport workers' unions in Africa, the Americas, Asia/Pacific and Europe will be taking part in the day - now marked annually by the ITF. In 2000, more than 250,000 workers participated. In its fifth consecutive year of organising this event, the ITF is calling on its members to campaign for the improvement of road transport workers' conditions - and to pull them into the ranks of the trade unions. The deregulation of road transport over the last two decades has produced a downward spiral in the working conditions of truck, bus and taxi workers. Although the road transport industry is poised for rapid growth worldwide, and its activities produce millions of jobs, this is underpinned by cutthroat competition between deregulated transport companies and contractors. Mac Urata, Secretary of the ITF Road Transport Section, said: "The liberalised road transport market is characterised by dangerously excessive working hours, reduced pay and small operators vying for business at any cost. Unions are acting to get the growing road transport industry to deliver decent work - not exploitation and danger." "On 15 October, the ITF and its road transport affiliates are saying 'enough is enough'. We have had enough excessive working hours, enough devaluation of earnings. There has been enough standing by while the collective rights of road transport workers are lost to a system that encourages individuals to take work regardless of worsening conditions," Urata added. For background and more campaign information, please visit: http://www.itf.org.uk/road_transport/fatique_kills_2001/fatigue_kills_2. htm
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Interview: Connecting the State NSW IT minister Kim Yeadon is the man responsible for enabling the people of NSW. Here's how he's doing it. Workplace: The Enemy Within In the IT industry it's the recruiters who are earning the workers' ire, as our special correspondent explains. Unions: From the Virtual Coalface Computer programmer Vince Caughley argues there is a place for unions in the IT industry. History: Conditions Precedent Frank Bongiorno writes that the recent events off the coast of Christmas Island recall a story once told by Paul Hasluck. International: Victims of Terrorism Repression against trade unionists on the increase world wide, with 209 trade unionists assassinated last year, reveals ICFTU 2001 Survey. Campaign Diary: Week One: Get Shorty Labor's first week of campaigning was as an effort to gain attention from a nation rocked by the telvised war on terrorism. Economics: Global Alliances Ray Marcelo reports from India that the ILO is arguing that globalisation needs a worker and employer alliance. Health: The Phantom Menace Trade unions made an impact this week at an international congress In Melbourne in the global fight against AIDS. Review: Rings of Confidence In his study on the 2000 Olympics, Tony Webb argues that the government and unions reached a new level of cooperation. Satire: Greens 'Quietly Unconfident' of Forming Government A leaked memo from a senior member of the Greens reveals the party is unconfident of winning government on November 10.
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