Transport & Travel

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Rail safety day in Australia means more that just preventing accidents – it means job security and a strong union voice

The Australian Services Union, which represents operational, support and administrative staff in Australia's rail and public transport networks, is supporting the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Railway Workers' Action Day today.

The ITF website for the Rail Action Day: http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/SafetyFirst2007.cfm

Building on the launch of the railway industry charter in 2006, the ASU has confirmed that the union movement is still strongly committed to the ideas of safety in the workplace. The ASU safety charter is still a valuable tool and helps highlight the need for not only a safe workplace for the railway industry workers but also the need for it to be safe for the travelling public. Copies of the Charter and Action Plan are available here: http://www.asu.asn.au/campaigns/rail.html

This year the ASU is campaigning at a Branch and national level using the ACTU Your Rights at Work campaign themes to back up its call for a safe workplace. This includes:

Adequate staffing levels

State governments as the owners and operators or regulators of public transport realising the need for adequate staffing levels in the public transport services in not only the front line service areas but also the support services and the links between the staffing and services to the community - without railway staff there would not be a safe railway system.

Strong role for OHS

"Strategies for the prevention of violence against rail workers as well as safety generally must include empowering employees to have control over these issues. It is clear from major studies that a strong employee role on all occupational health and safety issues is vital to maximise safety."

Industrial rights & job security

We have already seen the step taken by the Federal Government to introduce "WorkChoices" which is targeted at removing the dignity of workers and allowing employers to take actions against employees that raise issues such as safety in the workplace. Without job security it's always harder to stand up for workplace rights and workplace safety.

The ASU is concerned that further attempts by the Federal Government to weaken employee working conditions through its extreme new industrial laws will also reduce transport safety and occupational health and safety standards for transport employees.

ITF endorsed the ASU's 2006 charter and action plan

The Australian Services Union launched a web-based campaign on 27 March, which included a union Rail and Public Transport Charter and Action Plan for 2006. The union called on Australian Governments - Federal and State - to adopt a comprehensive approach to safety and plans to run the campaign for 12 months. The union hopes that its members as well as members of other unions, workplace groups, members of Government and Parliament, individual corporations, social movements and NGOs will sign the charter. (From the ITF)

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