Rail union leaders will plant a tree tomorrow in memory of everyone who has died or been injured in rail accidents.

Jimmy Knapp of RMT, Mick Rix of Aslef, David Horton of TSSA and Stuart Howard of ITF will plant the tree at Euston Station Plaza, outside Euston Station.

A plaque will be added, reading: "In memory of the travelling public and railway workers who lost their lives or were injured while travelling on the railways or working for the railway industry. This tree was planted by the rail unions Aslef, RMT and TSSA on 29 March 2001, the International Rail Safety Day."

The idea is to emphasise the need for action on rail safety as part of a worldwide day of action by the International Transport Workers' Federation.

The RMT, one of the participating unions, has also chosen the day for its one-day strike for a safer London Underground.

"This day is designed to show that decent funding, working and travelling conditions are an issue on almost all of the world's rail networks," said ITF assistant general secretary Stuart Howard.

"Britain is now held up around the world as an example of how not to privatise, and of how deregulation and fragmentation of the industry can put safety at risk."

While the tree planting is taking place here rail workers will be organising a huge range of activities in 39 countries.

Planned events worldwide include: fare cuts, steam train rides, open days and station clean-ups, free rides for children, lobbies, rallies, exhibitions, stoppages, cross-border meetings and mass demonstrations.

Transport unions in the following countries are participating in the day: Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Croatia, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Namibia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey, Thailand, United Kingdom, Ukraine, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Constantly updated details of what's on during the March 29 Action Day for Railway Safety can be found at
http://www.itf.org.uk/SECTIONS/It/rail/Railway_safety/update_index.htm

Memorial ceremony for railway accident victims - 2 -


The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) represents affiliated unions at a global level. It has 570 member unions in 132 countries, totalling over five million members.


For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260. E-mail: dawson_sam at itf.org.uk

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS' FEDERATION - ITF: HEAD OFFICE, ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS,Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871, Email: mail at itf.org.uk Web-page: www.itf.org.uk