In the morning of 12th October, in front of Bus Station and Taxi Stand in Tokyo Station, 28 bus workers and officials from Japan Confederation of Railway Workers’ Unions (JRU) distributed over one thousand of fliers to bus and taxi drivers, commuters and passersby.

Workers from JRU appealed that deregulation realized “cheap and fast” but ripped off time and safety from transport workers instead. We could find out fatigue and stress accumulated by hard work as the background of accidents these days. These facts caused by the deregulation are common problems not only to transport workers but also to most other workers. Therefore, to stop the vicious circle of deregulation and cost cutting competition and to improve our working environment, we shall rise from our workplaces.

While drivers were waiting, they read the fliers enthusiastically. Passersby handed the fliers said, “ Fatigue kills, it’s true”. Actually, in Japan after the deregulation of new entry, too many bus companies have been established and price war broke out. As the result of that, bus drivers have been forced to work for long hours and drive faster than before.

In Tohoku and Hokkaido area bus workers from JRU joined ITF Road Transport

Section Campaign as well. In Aomori, Morioka, and Sendai railway stations and truck stations, Tohoku area, bus workers from each JRU bus workers branch distributed fliers. They also visited local friendly taxi and bus unions and ask the officers to distribute their fliers. They totally provided 2400 fliers today. For the first time in six years they visited truck stations and truck drivers welcomed them.

Participants of this event confirmed that safe and security are our principal subjects to tackle and recognized solidarity of workers all over the world is very important.