European Transport Workers Rally to Support LGBTQI+ Rights Amid Attacks

Growing Discrimination and the Need for Action

Recent developments in Europe highlight increasing challenges to LGBTQI+ rights, particularly as certain groups intensify their efforts to undermine equality legislation. In response to this growing discrimination, a significant conference will convene in Paris with the aim of showcasing the collective efforts of organized workers to stand against oppression.

A Critical Conference Takes Center Stage

The conference, titled “We Are All Equally Different,” scheduled for June 27-28, coincides with a critical moment for transport workers facing rising harassment and violence. This is particularly salient as governments, including that of Hungary, actively dismantle protections for LGBTQI+ citizens.

“As extremist governments and far-right parties strive to reverse decades of progress in equality, unions are intensifying their initiatives to defend fundamental freedoms,” commented the ETF Secretary General. She emphasized the resolve among organized labor to combat ongoing attacks against their colleagues simply for being who they are.

Budapest: A Case Study for Europe

In a broader context, the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) vehemently condemns the systematic attacks against LGBTQI+ rights orchestrated by the Hungarian government, reinforcing their unwavering support for transport workers and civil society. The ETF’s 2022 Congress in Budapest featured a pioneering event on equality, attended by local LGBTQI+ activists, but since then, conditions have further deteriorated.

The Secretary General remarked, “What is unfolding in Hungary serves as a warning for all of Europe. Witnessing colleagues march under our joint flag during Budapest Pride, despite governmental hostility, exemplifies the courage that unions must emulate through tangible actions. Their struggle is our struggle.”

The Role of Trade Union Action

As far-right parties gain ground across Europe, wielding toxic anti-LGBTQI+ narratives, trade unions emerge as one of the few organized forces capable of safeguarding workers’ rights. This conference will demonstrate how collective bargaining, labor policies, and solidarity can create safe spaces when governments fall short in their protective duties.

Fresh data from the ETF Youth Committee underscores the urgent need for trade union intervention. Transport workers identifying as LGBTQI+ report widespread discrimination, violence, and bullying. Statistical insights reveal that nearly 38% of LGBTI individuals faced harassment last year, with only a meager 14% of incidents reported to authorities.

Conference Highlights and Key Speakers

The Paris conference will feature an array of notable speakers and sessions, providing valuable insights into combating discrimination:

• Keynote address by a renowned French journalist discussing resistance to far-right narratives.
• Presentation of striking data from a survey on the discrimination faced by LGBTQI+ transport workers.
• “Proud at Work” session, showcasing firsthand experiences of workers.
• Strategic workshops on utilizing collective bargaining to safeguard vulnerable workers.
• Solidarity actions, including participation in Paris Pride and a visit to the new Holocaust memorial honoring LGBTQI+ victims.

Moreover, a representative from the European Trade Union Confederation will articulate how the European labor movement can counteract regressive legislation and bolster worker protections when governments fail to act.

Responding to a Movement Under Siege

This pivotal meeting will unveil new tools for advocacy, including the ETF’s colorful rainbow flags and organizing materials promoting themes of pride, safety, and organization—an immediate rebuttal to those wishing to force LGBTQI+ workers back into obscurity.

Significance of the Current Moment

In a landscape where European elections reveal the rise of far-right extremists and populist governments targeting minority rights, the conference stands as an essential opportunity for organized labor to affirm its role as an advocate for equality and human dignity.

“When governments neglect to protect their citizens, trade unions must step in and fill that void,” the Secretary General concluded. “From the conference halls of Paris to the streets of Budapest, we send a clear message: transport workers stand united against hate, wielding the collective power to back it up.”

A Multilingual Approach to Resistance

The conference will also reflect the pan-European nature of resistance to discrimination by being conducted in five languages—French, Italian, English, Spanish, and German—further emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the movement.

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