African railway unions step up to key challenges
24 September 2009
Railway unions across Africa met in South Africa last week to plan for the future and share experiences.
The 27 delegates from nine countries across Africa, discussed key challenges facing unions in Africa at the ITF Africa railway section conference in Johannesburg from 14-15 September. The challenges included job losses, organising difficulties and railway infrastructure problems. The unions outlined how they were addressing those challenges and pointed out some of their key achievements.
The Uganda Railway Workers’ Union, for example, highlighted how it had signed a recognition agreement with Rift Valley Railways Limited and secured an agreement on an HIV/AIDS policy in the workplace to ensure against discrimination. Its opposition to the casualisation of the workforce also led to the appointment of some 235 casual workers to permanent positions. Against the odds, the union recruited 575 employees, bringing workforce representation to 71 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Railways Amalgamated Union described how it had negotiated a better redundancy package for workers who were losing their jobs and the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) outlined progress in a number of areas including improved maternity rights and sexual harassment policies.
Participants agreed that they would work on a range of issues, including the possibility of smaller unions merging with other transport unions, taking further steps to tackle HIV/AIDS and enhancing communication between the unions and with the ITF.
The conference, which was opened by Satawu president Ezrom Mabyana, was addressed by ITF president Randall Howard, who emphasised the need to rebuild stronger railway unions in Africa. The meeting was also attended by an observer from the United Association of South Africa, a FIOST affiliate.
ITF Africa regional secretary Joseph Katende said: "Railway unions in Africa must pursue merger possibilities with other ITF affiliates. This is the best way to ensure a viable service to their members, whose numbers have dwindled due to the shrinkage in railway services following the mismanagement of restructuring processes by investors and governments."