UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 28

VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 28 July 2014

Contents

Destination Excellence Transport is essential to our daily lives. It is the means by which people and goods travel from one place to another. It is fundamental to meeting our various needs, be they social, economic, or cultural.

The transport sector is also a contributor to virtually every other sector, and its success is the basis for the success of all these sectors.

Much has been done to improve our transport services, and more needs to be done now and into the future. It is, however, important to note that an efficient and effective transport system, be it by land, air or sea, needs an symbiosis between persons and processes, using the right technology, financed by the right kind of investment.

If we are to keep excellence and sustainability in employement, we really need to immediately invest in diverse professions.

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Change in Motion

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The Challenges of Change

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Road safety in the EU

06

Malta’s links to the world

07

Transport: A European Dimension

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Editor’s note josef Vella As a Union, we are very much aware of the importance of investment. However, we also believe that investment can only be effective with the right people, and the other way round. This relationship is a balance that needs to be continually maintained.

We are all for continuous training. This sector is continously changing, and workers need to be proactievely involved with these changes, even before they happen. We need to make sure that our workforce is in a position to exploit the opportunities to 1

editorial/Picture story

advance, for their own, their families, and the country’s benefit.

In this sector, we direly need to plan ahead. If we are to keep excellence and sustainability in employement, we really need to immediately invest in diverse professions. We are running the real risk of having professions without the necessary qualified people to work within them.

This is true for all the sectors of transport, be it land, aviation, or maritime. This is one of our biggest challenges. These gaps need to be identified, and a holistic strategy designed to fill them. We need to promote these employment opportunities for for young people, and provide the necessary training tools for them to succeed. This, after all, is the underlying philosphy for Jobs+; making work pay through training and the acquisition of different skills, making workers flexible to the changes and demands of the labour market.

We firmly believe in the fundamental right of every worker to be able to choose the union representing their interests. Freedom of association is a right that needs to be put into practice, not just verbally agreed upon. Public Transport drivers are requesting action from governemnt in this sense to safeguard their rights.

The culture of protecting health and safety of all workers and users needs to be promoted continuously. It is in the interest of all stakeholders that this culture is ingrained through awareness and proper training.

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Change in Motion Mobility is essential to people. The transport sector in Malta is one of the vital aspects: economically, socially and culturally.

Moving people and goods around in the least possible time and with maximum efficiency, is a challenge for all those involved in the sector. Workers in the transport sector experience continuous changes to work methods, equipment, technology and demands.

The livelihoods of significant workers and their families depend on how well this sector responds to change, and provoding the people for all jobs available in the sector. With the right training, attitudes and cooperation from stakeholders, this change can be turned into an opportunity.

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Interview - Martin Caruana

ThE

CHALLENGES

CHANGE

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Interview with Martin Caruana, UĂ“M Secretary of the Transport and Storage Section

What are the main challenges you see in the transport sector today?

One of the main challenges facing work at the ports is competition.

The main competitor to the Malta Freeport Terminal is Gioia Tauro.

To our advantage, our location is more central and accessible.

Nowadays, competition is fiercer than ever. Thankfully, whereas other ports are experiencing slowdowns, we are doing well.

In the area of Public Transport, we are currently engaged in ensuring that the freedom of association of workers in choosing their union is respected. Government is currently engaged in talks with a potential operator in the sector, and the challenge here is to ensure that the present employees are guaranteed their livelihoods under the chosen operator. When the changeover to Arriva was carried out some years back, it was the UÄŚM that negotiated guaranteed VOICE OF THE

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ten years of employment with the same conditions or better for workers. Unfortunately, things have changed, and the only guarantee these workers currently have is that they will keep their employment during the transitional phase. After that, things need to be discussed and negotiated from scratch.

Another challenge we are facing is people working with the Gozo Channel line. Here, developments in the sector could potentially threaten their livelihood. Both a direct Catamaran link, as well as a possible building of a bridge or tunnel to joining Gozo to Malta are a case in point.

In the Malta International Airport, although the situation is positive, we need to make sure that the negative effects of the shoulder months during January and February are mitigated through an increase in traffic passing through the Airport during these months.

There is also the question of what will eventually happen to Air Malta. As things stand, the scenario is still uncertain.

The workers categories within this section of the Union are considered a nerve centre for the Maltese economy. This is why we need to be proactive in tackling the challenges ahead.

It seems that the rate of change is considerable.

How does this affect workers?

Change is inevitable in many scenarios. Inevitably, this means changes in the nature of work, and a lot of uncertainty. For example, in the Freeport, you normally find an operator manning the crane, another on board a ship to check container movement, and another worker under the crane. In other countries, the third worker we have in Malta has been replaced by technology. Workers who find themselves in these situations 3

Interview - Martin Caruana

have to retrain and become flexible enough to provide services in other areas of the port.

How important is training in this sector?

Training is vital and needs to be continuous. This is important, as systems of work are constantly evolving. Jobs that were once labour intensive are today dependent on ICT and engineering technology.

How developed is the issue of safety in the transport sector in Malta?

When it comes to safety, what is being done is never enough.

One accident is one too many.

There are constant changes being made to ships, land transport vehicles, and every type of equipment used in transportation.

This necessitates training to ensure that safety standards are kept, and that new safety features are used and exploited.

Ten years ago, people used to manually install twist locks under

containers. Today, these twist locks automatically open or close as soon as the container is hoisted or placed. This eliminates potential hazards for workers working underneath containers.

On buses, safety features are continuously being developed that ensure not just the safety of the operator, but also of the people on board the bus. New technology is greatly increasing safety, and new ways are constantly being developed.

What are the challenges for the union in this sector?

The union needs to recognise developments in the sector and be proactive to them. If not, we risk becoming irrelevant. The Union continuously strives to involve itself in the changes that employers would be embarking upon, and tries to keep abreast of the relevant changes involved.

The union needs to become more of a bridge between the employer and the employee, rather than adopting a defensive stance. We

invest a lot in communication and relate in such a way that a winwin situation may be facilitated and created. The agreements we made with, say, the Malta Freeport in the last twenty years, have been a continuous improvement year on year.

Workers’ benefits walk hand in hand with organisational success.

What can workers do more to become more effective together?

I believe that there are opportunities to increase the trust of workers in their representatives. This works to the benefit of the workers themselves. This trust should not just be afforded to the Section’s Secretary, but also to the worker committees. These are people who voluntarily take up the task of representing their fellow workers, and they really deserve all the support they can get. I am in constant contact with a lot of individual workers, but the committees make union work

We strive to facilitate the communication with the members by increasing our presence on the place of work. This constant communication is essential for the effective fulfillment of the union’s work with its members.

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Interview - Martin Caruana

much more efficient and effective.

These worker representatives need to be given a true and fair view of any issues happening on the ground.

On their part, workers need to become more proactive to developments at their place of work. This helps workers to derive opportunities from the changes that occur, and also makes them realise that only sustainable claims will be of benefit for them in the long run. Another issue is communication. We also need to develop ways to facilitate communication and dialogue between members and their union. We strive to facilitate the communication with the members by increasing our presence on

the place of work. This constant communication is essential for the effective fulfillment of the union’s work with its members.

Finally, what, in your view, is the most important ingredient for the effective work of a Section Secretary?

Without any shadow of doubt, Committees make all the difference. I believe that I cannot fulfil my role well without these worker representatives. And we are not just talking about committees being set up. We need committees that frequently meet and are really active. If done well, committees are by far the best way forward for the union, the Section Secretary,

and its members. In this sense, I feel proud of having a number of good quality committees and a 35-member executive committee, sharing experiences, best practice, and planning for the future. I work closely with the Committee’s president Thomas Clinch, and vice President Joe Sghendo, together with the other members who I really thank for their commitment.

Mr. Caruana has been Secretary of the Transport and Storage Section since December 2006. He comes from a background of transhipment and containers , twenty four years of experience that are serving him in good stead at the UÄŚM. Martin Caruana was interviewed

by John Mallia

The union needs to recognise developments in the sector and be proactive to them. If not, we risk becoming irrelevant. The Union continuously strives to involve itself in the changes that employers would be embarking upon, and tries to keep abreast of the relevant changes involved

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MEUSAC

called ‘Going Abroad’. The application is available for iPhone and iPad, Google Android and Microsoft Windows phones in 22 languages.

Road safety in the EU Every Death is One Too Many

‘Going Abroad’ app allows travellers visiting a particular European country to find all the relevant traffic information on the country.

The EU’s policy for the transport sector is more than roads infrastructure, TEN-T links and railways. In fact, between 2010 and 2014, the European Commission has been working on 10 different ways to make Europe’s roads safer. Thanks to these initiatives, road fatalities reduced to a total of 43% between 2001 and 2010 and by a further 17% between 2010 and 2013.

Some of the projects include amongst others: a common European driving licence, tougher vehicle testing rules to save lives, and an e-call system for new cars by 2015.

A recent important contribution towards safer roads in Europe has been a smart phone application

The aim of this application is to provide safety information for all EU countries especially as few people realise that rules and road signs tend to vary from one EU country to another. Travellers to a particular European country can click and find all the relevant information on the country being visited. The information given ranges from standard speed limits and the use of seat belts, to alcohol limits, traffic lights, forbidden lanes, safety helmets, the use of mobile phones and influence of drugs, amongst others.

For those travelling with families one can also find interesting travel quizzes with questions ranging from transport to geography and history, to keep the family entertained and well informed whilst driving to their destination.

The release of ‘Going Abroad’ has been timely for the peak summer season in the EU with July and August being the busiest time of the year for European roads. This is uunfortunately the worst time of the year for road fatalities.

The more people are aware about different road safety procedures in EU Member States, the less are the chances of accidents happening.

After all, the EU’s strategic target is to halve road deaths between 2010 and 2020 and also to start focusing EU efforts on reducing serious road traffic injuries.

MEUSAC 280 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1112 Tel: +356 2200 3315 • Fax: +356 2200 3329 • Email: info.meusac@gov.mt www.meusac.gov.mt VOICE OF THE

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MCESD

Malta’s links to the world The Transport sector employs millions of people around the world, it needs to be protected to ensure that employees are well equipped and trained to be able to adapt to the continuous changes in this important industry.

Malta’s insularity has led to high transport costs on the mainland.

The double insularity of Gozo puts the sister island at a further disadvantage especially when currently the sole link between Gozo and Malta is via Ferry, even though further efforts are currently being made so as to alleviate this problem and ensure that Gozo is better connected as this would lead to an improved economic situation on the island.

Malta is only accessible to the rest of Europe and elsewhere is by air or ferry.

No wonder then that the maritime industry has flourished in the past years. It has given a boost to the local economy especially with cruise liners docking at our Grand Harbour frequently particularly during the summer months.

Local policy makers have been making an extensive effort so as to attract further investment from the aviation industry. This has led to various internationally renowned companies setting up shop in Malta including for back– office work, aircraft maintenance and production of aircraft parts.

An island of 316km² hosts almost 241,000 licensed vehicles, a number which undoubtedly raises environmental concerns.

Incentives and initiatives

by Government need to be continuously encouraged so as

to ensure that citizens opt for greener transport. Air quality is as crucial to us as an adequate marine environment.

Transport is an essential part of the globalised world; however Malta and the rest of the world have to further enhance efforts to create more cost-effective transport whilst keeping atmospheric quality at the forefront of any new developments. Protecting the environment will ultimately lead to us living healthier and better.

The number of workers in the transport sector has increased considerably. Efforts have been made so as to attract more women in the transport sector both at a national and at a European level.

MCESD 280/3, Republic Street, Valletta, VLT1112 Tel: (+356) 2200 3300 www.mcesd.org.mt VOICE OF THE

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CIA

Transport: A European Dimension Open public consultation on Combined Transport This public consultation launched by the European Commission (EC) relates to Combined Transport, a form of goods haulage which involves a combination of road transport with alternative rail and/or waterbased transport, using these alternative modes for the majority of the journey, with use of road haulage limited as far as possible to a relatively short distance at the start and/or end of the journey.

Combined Transport is promoted within the European Union (EU) through the Combined Transport Directive (Council Directive 92/106/EEC , “the CT Directive”), that seeks to promote Combined Transport operations through liberalisation of road cabotage, the elimination of authorisation procedures for Combined Transport operations, as well as financial support through fiscal incentives for certain Combined Transport operations.

Europe’s transport sector is still a major contributor to excessive levels of greenhouse gases, air pollution and noise In the 2013 edition of the annual Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM) published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), a comprehensive analysis of transport’s effect on the environment in the European Union was done. Although environmental performance of European transport is generally improving, achieving long-term targets will require significant evolution of the transport system. Please find the publication at the following link: http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/term-2013

The consultation is being launched only in electronic form and it will be open until the 15th of August 2014.

Contributions may be submitted in any official EU language. Please access to the consultation form the following link: http://tinyurl.com/nqjr2wh

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Documents

OPEN CONSULTATION

The facilitated mobility of persons and goods is one of the priorities of the European Union. The Brussels Office of the Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori lists an important public consultation regarding combined transport, as well as the effect of transport on the environment.

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