On 10 January, the Transport Committee of the European Parliament has a crucial vote about the EU Mobility Package. These deliberations will have a major impact on bus and truck drivers’ work and rest schedule, on their wages and on the safety of all road users in Europe. Trade unions across Europe take actions this week to guarantee safety and fair working conditions for millions of EU citizens.

1300 truckers passing through the port of Genova and resting in surrounding parking areas were handed leaflets setting out the risks for their working conditions in Thursday’s vote. Activists from Italian unions FILT CGIL, FIT CISL and UILTRASPORTI prepared leaflets in Italian and 5 Eastern European languages, to distribute to drivers from all over Europe. Sadly drivers will have a lot less rest if MEPs reach a danergous compromise on the EU Mobility Package. Some proposals say they should have to work for 3 weeks with just two days rest (instead of 2 weeks with 3 days rest under current rules).

This was followed on 8+9 January with leafleting actions towards drivers and the public in Milan, Turin, Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Ancona, Rome, Naples and Bari.