Transport strategy for all

“We think transport is at the heart of our communities and transport workers are at the heart of our communities”, explained Unite assistant general secretary for transport Diana Holland.

Holland was speaking at the recent Unite conference – Transport Matters.

The aim of the gathering was to follow up on the decision made at Unite’s annual policy conference in July that there should be a revamped strategy for transport.

Delegates from around the country gathered at the Unite offices in Holborn on Wednesday (November 2) to hear from a wide range of speakers.

There were also workshops, discussion groups and a session looking at the way forward for a sector which has always been crucial to Unite – the biggest and most diverse transport union in the county.

Holland was clear about the need for the Transport Matters conference.

“We want to make sure that when we are developing a transport system and strategy for the whole country we learn properly from the experience of transport workers,” she said.

‘Decent standards’

“We want to see investment in transport, growth in transport, decent standards in transport, no violence or threats to workers, accessible and integrated transport,” Holland added.

In all, Unite represents more than a quarter of a million men and women in this sector. They range from professional drivers, cabin crew on airplanes, airport workers, dockers, engineers, catering and cleaning staff.

On top of that the union also has many members working in manufacturing who produce planes, buses, cars, trains, ships, lorries and taxis.

Delegates raised their own concerns including over the future of pension schemes, nightshift working and lack of proper toilet facilities – especially for heavy goods drivers.

There were also discussions around diesel emissions and their impact on clean air, mental health and stress in the workplace as well as ending the race to the bottom.

“My message is what’s good for transport workers is good for the transport services, for the public, and that’s both for passengers and for freight. We keep everyone and everything moving,” Holland told the gathering.

However she also pointed to Tory deaf ears in Whitehall.

‘Out of touch’ 

“The government are not listening to us or talking to us in the way they should,” she said. “We think the government is out of touch with what life is really like for people and that includes transport.”

That was a theme taken up by Andy McDonald, Labour’s shadow transport secretary.

“Transport has the power to be liberating, it also has the power to be isolating and we have to make sure that we build a transport system that works for all of our country and all of our people,” he said.

“We have got to understand that every journey starts with a journey away from home.”

McDonald suggested that after the vote to leave the European Union the need for improving transport infrastructure had grown in importance.

He said Labour was now focussed on building a greener, healthier, more efficient, affordable and accessible transport system.

‘Complete rethink’

Welcoming Unite’s approach and strategy on these issues McDonald said, “What excites me is having a complete and utter rethink in terms of the governance of our public transport arrangements.

“It’s absolutely key, in the public transport realm, that workers and passengers not only have a presence, but have truly representative power in these structures.

“The way I see it public transport has increasingly become detached from the concept of public service and too often it has been seen as just a series of opportunities to profit from an essential service that no government can let fail.

“So over the coming months and years it is going to be the role of the Labour and trade union movement to fundamentally change that premise,” he added.

Clearly Unite will continue to be at the forefront of working to bring about those vital changes needed in transport policy – promoting public ownership, safety, employment standards and sustainability.

This was best summed up by Diana Holland when she said, “Unite is absolutely critical to taking this forward, that is why I want to do all I can to make sure Unite transport workers’ voices are heard.”