The annual global road transport campaign action begins on Monday when the ITF International Road Transport Week is held from 9 to 15 October. This global event has grown from an action day into its current form, whose message is Organising Globally - Building Union Power.
During the week trade unions around the world will campaign for better work conditions and promote the need for road transport workers to join trade unions in order to fight for their rights.
Union members in each country determine the best way to promote their messages and express their concerns. Planned events include awareness campaigns aimed at drivers and the general public, meeting and rallies. Up to the minute details of what's on are at www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/campaigns-1226.cfm In West Africa, a sub-regional demonstration and rally is being planned at Bamako (Mali) on 9 October. On Tuesday 10 October a major demonstration will be held in Rond-Point Schuman, Brussels, to coincide with the European Commission Road Transport Meeting taking place there.
ITF Inland Transport Section Secretary, Mac Urata, explained: "This event has grown from the 'Fatigue Kills' action days held since 1997, in response to the burgeoning numbers of participants and their desire to maximise the opportunities for action, and to improve the working conditions and safety of all those who use roads worldwide."
He continued: "The ITF's recent world congress in South Africa heavily backed this campaign in its expanded form. We expect it to be bigger and better than ever with more unions taking up our message to organise the unorganised."
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260. E-mail: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF: HEAD OFFICE, ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR,Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7357 7871, Email: mail@itf.org.uk Web-page: www.itfglobal.org
Source: ITF (International Transport Workers Federation)