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The social role of transport
Asbjørn WahlNorwegian Union of Municipal
and General Employees
The fact of the matter
«…the economic pillar has become the core
of the renewed Lisbon strategywhilst the social pillar,
i.e. more and better jobs,has been marginalised.»
Effects on three levels
Employees – jobs and working conditions– regulations, social and labour rights
General public – geografical mobility– a high quality public transport system
Under-priviledged – access to transport– social cohesion, redistribution of wealth
What is «social»?
Social development is an effect of power relations in society –
relations between social forces with conflicting and
contradictory interests.
A social transport systemAccessible and affordable for all
– children, eldrely, disabled, poor, rural– priority of private cars gives social inequality
A high level of public subsidiesSufficient resources for investments
– worsening due to tax competition Effects of deregulation and privatisation
Effects on employeesLoss of jobs and deteriorating qualityCompetitive tendering = less job securityAttacks on wages and pension rightsLonger working hours, more split shiftsWork intensity and stress increasing More flexibility = less protection
Working conditions
Employers’ strategiesMeasures to increase competitivenessReduction of labour costs /social dumpingWeakening of labour and social legislationUndermining of collective agreementsContracting out and precarious workFlexicurity = dressed-up flexibility
Trade union aims
A high quality public transport system which is accessible and affordable to all
Publicly owned and operated transport systems – co-operation, not competition
Secure and well paid jobs for all transport workers covered by collective agreements
Stop mourning, organise!
«If this is not going to be limited tocomplaining and wishful thinking,
trade unions will have to take the necessary measures which can change the balance of power and
open for a real social Europe.»
Trade union action - IOrganise, organise, organise
– without high level of unionisation, we will loose– integrate women, immigrants, youth…– prepare and mobilise members for action
Defend and develop collective agreements– the political situation makes it more important– national coverage, i.e. reduced competition– co-ordinate at the European level
Trade union action - IIFight deregulation and privatisationLimit the negative effects of the PSO regulation
– eliminate competition on wages/working conditionsEngage more strongly in politics
– not in party politics, rather the opposite,but in taking a wider social responsibility
– many solutions in transport are dependent on a general shift in the balance of power
Trade union action - IIIBuild social alliances
– stronger unity in the trade union movement– alliances with other social groups/movements– high quality services require high quality jobs
Back to basics – from national to European– prepare our members for action– promote solidarity, incl. secondary action
To do at the ETF levelWe need more statistics and research Development of strategies and tactics Establish EWCs and use them to
build networks and co-ordinate actionsPromote activities and actions to make
lobbying and social dialogue useful
A question of social power!«Employers are not running charities.
They are pursuing their economic interests.
Their one and only aim is to maximise the return on their investments.
If trade unions are able to interfere with or
interupt this profit-making process, they will be listened to. If not, they will be
ignored. It is as simple as that!»
Develop trade union power
The future belongs to us!