43c/RwConf/Report


• Exchange of information and experiences relating to railway privatisation is a vital part of this response. Networking can also be used to provide essential international solidarity for union campaigns. The Section should provide the appropriate platforms to support this.


• ITF Action Week can give a powerful boost to union campaigns, by providing unions a united global voice.


• Trade union membership is decreasing as a result of restructuring and reforms in the railway industry. Introduction of technology and automation in some railway systems impacts on the number of railway workers.


• Poor safety is a growing problem for railway workers. There is a necessity to create a solid safety culture in workplaces, eliminating the existing blame and ‘clean hands’ cultures. There should be focus on the human and social elements of railway safety, in addition to the technical aspects. One aspect of railway safety that needs attention is safety at level crossings.


• Education and projects are crucial in building union capacity and assisting union actions against privatisation, on railway safety and organising.


• Railway unions must communicate effectively with young workers, understand their issues, and build strong young union leaders.


• Climate justice should be given more attention in Section work. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.


A number of participants commented that a half-­‐day Section Conference at the Congress did not provide enough time to discuss political strategies.


The Conference fully supported the Congress theme document, as adopted in the plenary. The Conference adopted the section related priorities for 2014-­‐2018, as presented. The Conference adopted motion 27 (Neoliberal rail policies), as presented.


The ITF statement on railway safety was adopted in principle by the Conference (content.yudu.com/htmlReader/A312bm/Railway-­‐Safety/index.html).


13. Wol-­‐san Liem (KRWU, Korea) gave a verbal report on the outcomes of the fringe meeting “Fighting Rail Privatisation” that took place on Tuesday 12 August. The conference endorsed the report, which outlined the formation of a network within the Railway Workers’ Section to strengthen the communication and solidarity among unions around the world who are fighting against neoliberal rail policies. The report will be circulated in writing after the Congress and will include a contact person form for unions.


Agenda item 5: Elections 14.


Chair


Vice Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair


The following were elected by the Conference:


Øystein Aslaksen (Norsk Lokmotivmannsforbund, Norway) was re-­‐elected unanimously


Julio Sosa (La Fraternidad, Argentina) was re-­‐elected unanimously Serge Piteljon (CGSP Cheminots, Belgium) was re-­‐elected unanimously CA Rajasridhar (AIRF, India) was re-­‐elected unanimously


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