Today railway workers from more than 80 ETF and ITF affiliated trade unions and 42 countries gathering at 1 pm in front of the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels will urge Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to reject the Public Service Obligations (PSO) Regulation on public passenger transport, which is part of the political pillar of the 4th Railway Package. The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) organises this rally prior to the vote in the TRAN Committee tomorrow to express its concerns about the lack of protection of public transport workers in the amended text.
The legislative process aiming to further liberalise rail public passenger transport is going through its final stage. As part of its campaign for fair transport in Europe ETF and its affiliates call TRAN Committee MEPs to reject the so-called amended PSO Regulation 1370/2007. “This amended regulation is an invitation to social dumping,” says ETF Railway Section President Guy Greivelding.
The Common Position of the Council paves the way for further liberalisation of rail public passenger transport without ensuring a better protection of public transport workers in this competition. With the amended text it remains the individual decision of competent authorities to impose a social level playing field to all operators participating in the competition. Experiences and studies show that this is rarely done and the lowest price, mainly achieved by cuts in personnel and social conditions, remains the priority criterion for choosing a public transport operator.
“The protection of staff in competitive tendering is a crucial condition for high quality and safe rail public services. Social dumping must be avoided and fair competition has to be based on quality criteria instead of lower working conditions, job insecurity and job losses. That is the true meaning of fair transport!” ETF Deputy General Secretary Sabine Trier commented.
This rally action in Brussels is the first part of a wider ultimate set of ETF actions to reject the PSO Regulation. ETF affiliates will also rally in Strasbourg on 13 December prior to the final vote in Plenary of the European Parliament on 15 December. The campaign can be followed on social media via #FairTransport & #OurPublicTransport.
For further information, please contact Sabine Trier (Tel: +32 (0)2 285 46 67; M: +32 477 512 814, s.trier@etf-europe.org)
