GLOBAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2020 :: RMTnews 22 Transport unions from across the world gathered in Loures, Portugal recently for the sixth international Bob Crow health and safety conference hosted by FECTRANS, the transportation section of the CGTP union. Conference was held at a regional school run by both the local authority and the trade unions where students get their final three years of secondary schooling along with specialist subjects relating to transportation and logistics. Some of the students sat in on both days of the conference as part of their studies. Two days of medical, physiotherapy and related economic and political presentations with trade union responses focused on respiratory issues and work-related cancer within the context of struggles in Britain, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and the United States. Work sociologist Dr Joao Areosa opened a discussion on the experiences of workers in the rail industry and work life balance. Daniel Mestre, professor at a nautical school and a member of FECTRANS, spoke about the effects of working in shipping on long haul trips, insufficient rest whist at sea and the issue of stress and mental health issues which only the unions were taking seriously. He said that companies were increasingly adopting a ‘as long as the job is done’ attitude and failing to take care of workers’ welfare. Delegates from FECTRANS and Spain spoke at length about the economic struggles in their countries with governments trying to drive down wages and terms and conditions and the effect of this on employees trying to achieve a work/family balance. There was a presentation from Dr Kenneth Spaet, a physician based in New York and an independent witness on Transport unions from across the world gathered in Loures, Portugal recently for the y sixth international Bob Crow health the experiences of workers in the rail industry r and work life balance. Daniel Mestre, professor at a nautical school and a GLOBAL HEALTH AND SAFETY International Bob Crow health and safety conference held in Portugal