The social role of transport Asbjørn Wahl Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees

The fact of the matter «…the economic pillar has become the core of the renewed Lisbon strategy whilst 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 system Accessible and affordable for all –children, eldrely, disabled, poor, rural –priority of private cars gives social inequality A high level of public subsidies Sufficient resources for investments –worsening due to tax competition Effects of deregulation and privatisation

Effects on employees Loss of jobs and deteriorating quality Competitive tendering = less job security Attacks on wages and pension rights Longer working hours, more split shifts Work intensity and stress increasing More flexibility = less protection

Working conditions

Employers’ strategies Measures to increase competitiveness Reduction of labour costs /social dumping Weakening of labour and social legislation Undermining of collective agreements Contracting out and precarious work Flexicurity = 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 to complaining 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 - I Organise, 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 - II Fight deregulation and privatisation Limit the negative effects of the PSO regulation –eliminate competition on wages/working conditions Engage 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 - III Build 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 level We need more statistics and research Development of strategies and tactics Establish EWCs and use them to build networks and co-ordinate actions Promote 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!