TORONTO, Aug. 27,
2024 /CNW/ - Unifor supported the International
Transport Federation (ITF)'s Safe Rates campaign at rallies today
at DHL locations across Canada to
send a strong message to the transport industry and federal
government – safe rates save lives.
"In an economy dependent on transport workers, protecting
vulnerable workers in the road transportation sectors, particularly
in the trucking and courier industries, is essential," said Unifor
National President Lana Payne.
"Our union supports this international campaign because workers'
rights are international, and we're sending a message to employers
that they need to treat their workforce with respect with good jobs
and fair pay."
Unifor has joined more than 50 trade unions representing road
transport drivers around the world calling for "Safe Rates"
systems, which will improve workers' rights and make roads
safer.
Rallies are scheduled today at DHL and DHL-owned Loomis
locations in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. Unifor is targeting DHL for
shortening the routes of their employees, causing some
owner-operator members to lose up to 50% of wages last year. Not
providing a "safe rate" could lead to health and safety issues,
including driver fatigue.
Unifor's day of action coincides with this year's ITF Safe Rates
Global Action Week from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2,
2024, which critically coincides with the date a new federal
transport reform legislation comes into effect in Australia.
The ITF is also focusing on making sure the demands of women
road transport workers are visible during the Safe Rates action
week and highlighting the invaluable and vital contributions of
women truck drivers working in the sector, by asking them to send
in videos and photos of themselves at work, holding up a message
about what Safe Rates mean to them and use the hashtag,
#SafeRatesSaveLives.
"This initiative is not only about visibility but also about
amplifying the voices of women truck drivers in our industry and
their demands on safety, equality and fair pay," said Payne.
More information can be found on Unifor's Safe Rates campaign
page. The ITF has also created a WhatsApp group for live updates on
their global campaign.
Evidence shows that pay increases of as little as 10% can reduce
accidents by 30%. Unifor says that business models in road
transport have become unsustainable and lead to labour abuses.
"Having safe roads means ensuring sufficient levels of
investment in the transport infrastructure, the vehicles, and wage
for the operator," said Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer
Len Poirier.
"Drivers need to be able to focus on the road safely and not
constantly feel anxiety wondering if they can make ends meet while
we're surviving through an affordability crisis. Safe rates take a
lot of that pressure of their shoulders, but we need buy-in from
both government and the industry."
Unifor with the ITF are fighting for the Canadian road
transport industry and federal government to:
- Adopt Safe Rates legislation.
- Establish a fair price for transport.
- Transparency in rate setting and working conditions.
- Strong enforcement through collective agreements and regulatory
bodies.
- Expanded trade union rights for all in transport.
- Ratify and implement International Labour Organization
guidelines on the promotion of decent work and road safety.
About Unifor
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector,
representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy.
The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights
for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create
progressive change for a better future.
About ITF
About the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF): The
ITF is a democratic global union federation of 740 transport
workers trade unions representing around 18.5 million workers in
154 countries. The ITF represents the interests of transport
workers' unions in bodies that take decisions affecting jobs,
employment conditions, and safety in the transport industry.
About Safe Rates
Paying a driver a 'safe rate' means
he or she is paid fairly for all labour time and can make enough to
take care of his or her family and spend time at home, while also
driving safely. If a driver owns his or her own vehicle, a safe
rate must be calculated to ensure that he or she can cover the
costs of purchasing, maintaining, and operating it. Safe Rates
systems legally obligate the companies at the top of road transport
supply chains to enforce these rates and can be found around the
world including Canada,
Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.
SOURCE Unifor