Railway safety will be promoted worldwide on Friday 14 March 2003 when rail workers in over 60 countries join together as part of a global action day.

This will be the fourth annual railway workers action day called by global union federation the International Transport Workers' Federation, in which participants reinforce the Safety First message with everything from mass leaflets of the public to fare free travel.

With railway liberalisation expected to accelerate in the European Union, trade unions in Europe are stepping up their joint actions this year, with cross-border actions and an international rally in Berlin planned.

The recent tragic railway accidents in Australia and Zimbabwe show why the safety message needs to be nailed to the desks of governments everywhere, said Mac Urata, secretary of the ITF's inland transport section.

If you put profit first then you put the lives of passengers and staff second.

More details can be found at http://www.itf.org.uk/railways/railway_safety/english/index.htm

ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260. Email: dawson_sam at itf.org.uk

The International Transport Workers Federation is based at ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR.
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7357 7871
Email: mail at itf.org.uk Website: www.itf.org.uk