FRUnite has participated in the Fair Transport for Europe demonstration as part of Unite’s delegation in Brussels on the 27th March 2019. The demonstration was the culmination of the Fair Transport Action Week that was organised by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).

The aim of the Fair Transport campaign is to fight for dignity, safety, security and fair wages for transport workers and to stop social dumping. Around 2,000 transport workers were present at the demonstration from all over Europe (U.K., Italy, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Scandinavia) and from all different transport sectors (air transport, road transport, seafarers, railway workers) to show solidarity and to fight for their rights.

The rally started off at the corner of Boulevard Albert II and Boulevard Baudouin, in front of the ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation) building with welcome speeches from the participating trade unions. Unite was represented on stage by Adrian Jones, National Officer of Road Transport Commercial sector.

After the opening speeches the crowd of transport workers marched through the streets of Brussels to get to the Berlaymont building that houses the headquarters of the European Commission. During the march members of the ETF Youth Committee were collecting signed postcards from all activists to later deliver them to the European Commission, demanding Fair Transport for all. In the meantime participants of the march were signing the flag of the ETF Women’s Committee demanding equal pay for equal jobs and dignity for female transport workers.

After the march Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) emphasised the importance of united unions and cross sector cooperation in his speech at the rally in front of the European Commission. He promised that the ITF and ETF will carry on fighting for young workers, for each and every female transport worker, for every Ryanair worker and against every abuse suffered by transport workers.

“We are here to show our solidarity. The 20 million members of the ITF want to say to all European brother and sisters whether you’re from a small country or a big country, a small union or a big union, we fight together!”

Stephen Cotton, General Secretary, ITF

The stage was then taken by Frank Moreels, President of the ETF. He ensured the crowd that the ETF will carry on using their political powers and connections to stop the exploitation of transport workers, including crew members of low cost carriers.

In his closing speech, Eduardo Chagas, who is stepping down as General Secretary of the ETF, announced that a new and reformed ETF will continue to fight together with the ITF for Fair Transport and to put an end to social dumping not only in Europe but all around the world.

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