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!