Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

People on the Move

N° 111 (Suppl.), December 2009

Rev. Msgr. Wolfgang MiEhle

National Director for the Pastoral care of Migrantes of the German Episcopal Conference

From 1998 to 2003, I held the office of the director of the catholic employees movement and company chaplaincy in the diocese of Augsburg. In this capacity, I once visited a large transport and logistics company together with some staff members. Most impressive or rather frightening was a huge control panel showing a road map of central Europe with many little lights flashing on and off and constantly moving on the map. The manager explained that each one of this light-emitting diodes represents one of his lorries. And if a diode stops blinking, the respective lorry stopped driving. So he always knows the exact position of each of his lorries. In case of an accident or carjacking this would enable immediate reaction.

Later on, one of the drivers told me what the manager “forgot” to tell us: this system also enables an around-the-clock monitoring of every driver. For each drive, he said, a maximum time frame is calculated in advance. If a driver exceeds this maximum by more than 10 minutes, he gets penalty points unless the radio traffic report proves that there was a tailback on his road. These penalty points are added up and finally result in a wage deduction. Moreover, drivers on a tour from the South to the North and those driving from the North to the South are obliged to meet on a truck stop at a central location of Germany where they change the lorries and take over the other drive. This makes it possible to evade compulsory driving and rest hours.

These experiences prompted us to pay special attention to the lorry drivers’ needs in our company chaplaincy activities. At regular intervals, the staff members and I went to truck stops where we tried to get in touch with the lorry drivers either before they started their journey (6 – 8 am) or when they stopped driving (8 – 8.30 pm). The conversations with them were marked by great frankness and trustfulness. Following are some frequently heard statements of lorry drivers:

· That’s nice that the Church wants to care for us lorry drivers. But you are too late – my faith and my marriage have already broken down.

· The last time I went to church was when my daughter had her first communion (he shows a picture of his daughter). Even so, I am a Christian. I have a picture of the Madonna on my dashboard (but a rabbit’s foot, too). In some critical situations I already said thanks to God that there was no accident.

· I don’t know yet whether I will have free time at Easter. Maybe there will be an other drive abroad at short notice and then I will not be at home.

· I drive up to 170,000 kilometres a year. (With a constant speed of 100 km/h that makes 1700 driving hours. 1700 working hours is the average working time of a full-time employee. So you can imagine how may hours of overtime this man has to do.)

· We met a driver searching for a lift to Munich. His lorry was stolen in Sweden. With hardly any money and without a warm jacket he had to hitchhike from Sweden to Germany. His lorry was stolen, although he had parked his lorry – loaded with laptops – on a supervised car park. Later on, his mobile phone, which was also in the lorry, was located in Poland. He absolutely had to reach Munich on this day to take over a new lorry. “Otherwise, all my orders are lost, and I really can’t afford that.”

· In my company, one driver had to lose his life in an accident before the working conditions were changed.

On the basis of these experiences, I would like to point out some aspects of a pastoral care for lorry drivers.

1. Workplace motorway

For years, the number of drivers and the quantity of transported goods and people have been constantly growing. According to a survey of the Federal Office of Statistics, 2,619,267 lorries (as against 1,936,551 in 1992) and 85,880 coaches were registered in Germany on 1^st of January 2003. As stated by the Federal Office for goods traffic, German motorways every day are frequented by approximately 210,000 vehicles registered in Germany and about 37,000 foreign lorries.

As a result of the growth of international trade – particularly after the EU’s eastward expansion – and changes in production methods (Just-in-Time-supply, production transfer of finished and semi-finished products), the traffic of goods and people on the road will continue to increase. The European Union forecasts a further 60% increase of the lorry traffic volume by 2015.

This growth in the volume of traffic also implies a tougher competition situation both for drivers and haulage companies. Due to the ongoing pricing and cost pressure, strain on the drivers will increase while their payment will decrease.

The growing time and work pressure makes it ever more difficult to observe the necessary and therefore compulsory rests. It has become a common practice that the drivers are also responsible for unloading the goods they transported. If they refuse they run the risk of being banned from the company site and of being dismissed. On the tachograph, however, the time for unloading is recorded as rest period which means that after unloading his lorry the driver can, and normally must, continue driving in order to save costs for the company. But he certainly is not rested.

In recent years, however, even the observance of the prescribed rest period of 8 hours, which most drivers take at night, has emerged as an ever-more pressing problem. As the number of vehicles is constantly increasing, there are not enough appropriate truck stops which are safe and offer good sanitary facilities. Drivers who do not want to spend the night at a lonely motorway parking place without showers and toilets are forced to exceed the permitted driving limits in search of a decent place to rest.

2. Physical and mental strain of lorry drivers

„I am transporting livestock throughout Europe. On the journey I am all alone with the animals. Sometimes I am at home only every third weekend. In the long run, this situation is unbearable for a relationship to work.“ These words of a driver probably express the greatest strain of lorry drivers, that is their often incalculably long absence from home and loneliness. In long-haul traffic, most drivers are on the road during the whole week, from Sunday evening to Saturday afternoon. But even those who come home at shorter intervals – as for example drivers in short-haul traffic – suffer from not being able to plan their leisure time because the working hours are incalculable: A tailback on the motorway, a police check, a delay in loading and unloading, or a change of plans at short notice can cancel any date.

This situation represents a huge strain on relationships. This is particularly true for the drivers’ family relationships: the drivers’ partners (in marriage) must get used to waiting and receiving mobile phone calls announcing delays and changes of plans. Life is shared not only with the partner, but also with his or her workplace, which is the driver’s cab and the road. The situation is even more difficult if there are children. They see their father or mother only at the weekend and even then only for a very limited time. Many things that happen during the week remain unknown to the drivers, because even mobile phone calls and E-mails cannot replace direct contact and living together. This aggravates the situation of being a stranger in one’s own family.

In addition, many drivers feel guilty for not taking a sufficient share in the upbringing of the children and domestic burdens. A driver’s wife summarizes this experience as follows: “I am responsible for all bank and public authority matters. And when things go wrong at school, it’s me who has to grapple with. For all repairs that need to be done at the house I must ask a workman to come. Even if he is at home on Saturday he has to relax as he leaves again on Sunday evening.” In view of these burdens it is easy to understand why marriages of many drivers fail or why many drivers do not want to enter into a close relationship.

The same is true for other social relations such as club memberships, honorary work, friendships and acquaintances: Here, too, steady contacts can not be established as the drivers’ absence make it impossible to have common experiences which form the basis of lasting relationships.

Driving a lorry is – despite all technical aids – still hard work. Modern equipment has lessened physical exertion, but the ever increasing traffic density requires far more concentration today. Added to this are the extremely long working hours per day and week. The average working hours of more than 75 per cent of the drivers are 75 hours a week, and nearly half of the drivers declare to work 85 hours a week or even more. Being exposed to such mental strain over a long period provokes tiredness and exhaustion, which is one of the main causes of road traffic accidents. To combat fatigue, drivers take stimulants such as coffee, energy drinks or pills. Some of them are already alcoholics or addicted to pills.

Many drivers have problems because they have no one to talk to, no one to share their daily experiences and to listen to them. Over long distances and for many hours they are in their cab, all alone with their thoughts and feelings. After work, they have a short phone call with their family and during the evening meal at the truck stop there is some “trucking talk” with other drivers who are completely strange to them. Being excluded from human relations, isolation and loneliness depresses many drivers.

In spite of the great strains of professional driving, there are also positive experiences and feelings that must not be ignored. On the one hand, the drivers are proud of their performance, of controlling a powerful high-tech vehicle, of their indispensable contribution to a well functioning economy and to the benefit of consumers. On the other hand, being on the road means getting to know other countries and cultures, be it only from the roadside. And last but not least, there is the feeling of being a member of the large trucker family and of doing a job for which many people – unaware of the reality - still envy them.  

3. The God of the Bible – on the way with people

Professional drivers are exposed to particular strains. Following is an attempt to interpret the drivers’ experiences of life and work in the light of the Gospel and to develop new perspectives for pastoral work.

a) Lorry drivers – People of God on the road

The first description God gave of himself in the Bible is: “I am who am” (Ex 3,14). This gives expression to God’s promise always to be close to his people. This promise becomes apparent in the liberation from Egypt and in the exodus to the Promised Land that follow to this self-revelation. God leads his people to the Promised Land, he accompanies it on its journey through the desert. This message has a particular parallel to the living and working situation of lorry drivers: Being on the road, having no permanent place, longing for a home, these are all central elements of their everyday life. They yearn for company and communication to ease loneliness and to alleviate isolation. Where the Church succeeds in approaching the drivers in their special situation, a basis of confidence will be createed which makes it possible to talk of God’s company in life in a credible way.

b) ”I have heard the cry of my people ...” (Ex 3,7)

The Israelite’s fundamental experience of God being with them has its origin in God’s perception of the suffering of his people from aggravating living and working conditions. “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers.” (Ex 3,7) In this situation, God takes side with the oppressed people.

Many drivers feel that they are in a situation similar to the Israelites in Egypt: Cost pressure will continue to increase workload demands; lacking job alternatives make them dependent on their lorry as workplace. They consider themselves structurally and financially disadvantaged, and in the biblical language that means poor. Where the Church takes care of the drivers’ worries and problems, the option for the poor will be put into concrete terms.

c) “So that they may have life and have it to the full ...” (Jn 10,10)

With these words, Jesus Christ sums up his mission. With his death on the cross and his resurrection he opens up new perspectives of life for mankind. He counters the various experiences of death in today’s world with new vitality and gives hope for eternal life – a life without death, exploitation, injustice and suffering.

The daily conflict between life and work prevents many drivers from having a life to the full: a life with social relations, a family life in security, with a home, and with due recognition of their work. They long for salvation and cure. This curing may occur where the worries and problems of drivers are given due attention, where people reach out to them and help them to raise up and to rediscover the fullness of life in Jesus Christ (see Acts 3,1-10).

d) “God created man in his image.” (Gn 1,27)

The Christian faith reveals a new view of man. He is created in the divine image and likeness and thus bestowed with a unique, inalienable dignity. For us Christians, man and his inherent dignity arise from God’s creative will and the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. This is why the Church is called to oppose all developments that violate or threaten to violate human dignity. This commitment to work for the coming of the kingdom of heaven means giving witness to the dignity of man.

In their statement entitled “For a future founded on solidarity and justice”, the German bishops in 1977 already emphasized: …From the Christian viewpoint, one of the central requirements for humane living conditions in a society founded on paid work is that remuneration “enables a standard of living in accordance with cultural standards” and that “works councils and humane working conditions allow workers opportunities for participation and personal development” (no. 151, p. 53).

As for the majority of professional drivers, these requirements of just remuneration and humane working conditions are only partly fulfilled. The Church’s work for the coming of the kingdom of heaven therefore implies to support their efforts in order to achieve better working and living conditions.

4. Pastoral fields of work

For many years, the staff members of company chaplaincy in the German dioceses have perceived the difficult living and working conditions of lorry drivers as a pastoral challenge. With different pastoral approaches the individual dioceses tried to respond to this challenge. The experiences gathered so far are important to develop a comprehensive concept of pastoral care for lorry drivers:

· Most drivers are very positive about the services offered by the company chaplaincy, because they help to remove feelings of loneliness, isolation and helplessness: “At last, someone who cares for us!” This is a frequently heard answer when our staff members contact drivers and present the services they offer.

· Pastoral care with and for lorry drivers will succeed only if it reaches out to them. Given the drivers’ working conditions, contacts can only be established at places such as truck stops, parking areas or at the companies where they load and unload the lorries.

· The local offers must be supplemented by providing simple ways of communication that enable drivers to contact chaplains while they are on the road and by submitting proposals for extraprofessional activities.

Following are some important fields of work:

a) Truck stops

Truck stops are privileged places to get in touch with lorry drivers. Although they are “at work”, they get some rest and are free to have talks. Possible ways to reach them are:

· To contact the truck stop manager in order to agree about forms of cooperation.

· To establish contact with lorry drivers with the help of “door openers” such as brochures advertising for channel K or Easter and Christmas gifts campaigns.

· To install “complaints boxes” at large truck stops where the drivers can articulate their worries. These complaints boxes must be cleared at regular intervals and the questions must be answered.

· To arrange regular consultation hours with chaplains at some of the most frequented truck stops.

· To participate in already existing regulars tables for drivers which are organised by the motorway police in cooperation with truck stop managers, trade unions, employers’ associations and supervisory authorities for motorway management companies. The contacts established there can create the basis for pastoral talks.

· To offer spiritual services (meditation, liturgy, religious celebration) on public holidays when the lorry drivers spend several days at truck stops.

b) Family

Family relationships of drivers are subject to particular strains. This makes it all the more necessary to support the families and to give them opportunities to spend time with and for each other.

· At the beginning, introductory events such as barbecues with a supporting programme could be organised where the families get to know each other.

· Some dioceses organize special weekends for lorry drivers and their families and they receive positive feedback. The leisure time spent together is also an opportunity to reflect upon one’s own family situation and to exchange with other families in similar situations. A family church service could mark the highlight and end of the weekend.

· Lorry accidents, as a rule, are serious accidents. Particular pastoral care for the drivers and their families is required when an accident has happened.

c) Channel K / Helpline

“CHANNEL K – Helpline for drivers and their partners” was initiated by the South German Commission for company chaplaincy. At present, the helpline is open during four hours a week where the drivers can contact a chaplain by phone or mail who offers them counsel with personal or family problems, matters related to their job or authorities as well as religious issues. 

d) Religious offers for lorry drivers

· Living and working conditions of professional drivers do not allow them to regularly attend church services or parish events. Nonetheless, most drivers have spiritual desires and needs – being aware of the constant threat of mortal danger associated with their profession. They long for protection and respond sensitively to rituals and symbols such as blessings on drivers and vehicles, “journey blessings”, St. Christopher and guardian angel badges, special prayer books for lorry drivers, trucker bibles, special blessings, reception of the cross of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

· Motorway churches or so-called “church trucks” at truck stops might be privileged places to offer pastoral care and counsel. Their exterior design makes the Church’s presence on the motorway visible. They can be used for pastoral talks, bible circles, divine services, administration of sacraments, as well as for trucker festivals or lobbying and public relations campaigns.

5. Summary

Now, let me conclude my statement by summarizing the essential aspects:

· Due to the increasing traffic of goods and people, the number of drivers on the roads in Germany and Europe will continue to grow.

· As a result of the ever tougher global competition, pressure on the living and working conditions of drivers will intensify.

· Extended working hours, time pressure and separation from the family and social relations affect the physical and mental health of the drivers and their families.

· Changeability and instability, insecurity and danger characterize the life of professional drivers. In a way, it represents the people of God on its pilgrimage through time to the eternity of God.

· As was already emphasized during the 1^st meeting of national directors in charge of the Apostolate on the Road held in the Vatican in February 2003, this situation is a sign of our time. Seen in the light of the Gospel, it involves various possibilities and challenges for the Church’s pastoral care of professional drivers.

Finally, I wish us strength, patience, perseverance and God’s abundant blessing for this difficult and at the same time rewarding task.