In Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province, takeaway guys rest and chat at the trade union station.

Photo by Yan Yuming

Sometimes, the reporter came to the "Outdoor Workers Station" on Machang East Road, Jiangyan District, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province. A line of slogans "Resting, drinking water, hot rice, recharging, avoiding the heat, and getting warmth" are eye-catching.

"We riders have morning and evening shifts, and we need such street stations. We can enter at any time by scanning the code. Every time we enter the station, it is like going home." Diao Dansheng, a 28-year-old takeaway rider, took out his mobile phone and scanned the QR code on the gate of the station, walked into the station, and found a seat to sit down.

"We focus on site selection and self-service intelligence to provide all-weather and one-stop warm services for new employment groups such as couriers, takeaways, online ride-hailing drivers." Wang Jianbao, Secretary of the Party Group and Vice Chairman of the Jiangyan District Federation of Trade Unions, said.

Create a "15-minute service circle"

Diao Dansheng still remembers that one morning in December 2023, he had just finished his "big night shift" and encountered a bright little house on the street. Through the glass door, he saw several sanitation aunts chatting with smiles. "I took a long look at it at that time, worried that I would have to spend money to enter the door. Later, I found out that it was a resting place specially built by the government for us. I was very surprised and moved," said Diao Shansheng.

In the past, Taizhou City set up a resting point for riders, usually in communities, banks or shopping malls, hiding deep and walking far, which is inconvenient. In October 2023, Taizhou City formulated the "Smart Outdoor Station Construction Specifications", which fully considered the actual number, flow of outdoor workers in the coverage area and other public facilities. According to the requirements of easy access and a service radius of no more than 15 minutes, a number of stations equipped with functions such as scanning codes for automatic entry, automated management, and intelligent room temperature control. At the same time, the station service time was extended to create a 24-hour union station.

Diao Dansheng said that every time he came to the inn, he could feel the warmth and respect of the city. He also left a message to the union through the "Wish Collection Wall" of the inn: "I hope to add electric bicycle charging facilities around the inn, which will be more convenient."

Provide new opportunities to learn skills

Diao Dansheng's favorite union station is called "Fanxinghua Love Station", located on Zhenxing Road, Jiangyan District. When he arrived at the gate of the inn, Diao Dansheng headed straight to the second floor. The reporter followed up and found that he had already used the treadmill of the inn. "Last year, I learned that there was a gym here, so I insisted on exercising. My weight dropped from 200 kilograms to 170 kilograms now, and I didn't breathe when I delivered takeout and climbed the stairs," said Diao Dansheng.

At the post station, Diao Dansheng not only exercises his body, but also learns new skills.

"As a rider, I am a little moved when I get too many orders. I want to take the chef's certificate and open a Huaiyang restaurant in the future." Diao Dansheng has always wanted to learn some new skills, but he has no time and is afraid of spending money, so he doesn't know where to start.

Once, Diao Dansheng noticed that the station also placed various employment manuals and employment service platform QR codes. He scanned the code according to the prompts and took a closer look. There were quite a lot of training courses. Diao Dansheng found his favorite chef course. After listening to a few sessions, he began to sign up for the study.

"Now, in addition to the peak of food delivery, 9 am is the fitness time every day and 3 pm is the study time. I like to maintain this 'not offline' state at the inn," said Diao Dansheng.

Build a platform to participate in community governance

Online ride-hailing driver Zhu Xiaojing often participates in the "Legal Salon" activities held by the Jiangyan District Federation of Trade Unions at the post station to improve his safety awareness in investment and financial management.

Once, Zhu Xiaojing picked up an older sister from the train station to a remote village. When chatting, he learned that his older sister was about to send "investment funds". When he recalled the legal knowledge he learned at the inn, he was immediately alert and took the initiative to help his older sister inquire online. He found that the so-called "investment platform" was a fraud software, and called 110 to call the police in a timely manner.

"When the station is close to the Judicial Bureau, it is carried out legal publicity and co-construction; when the talent market is close to the talent market, it is carried out professional counseling and co-construction; when the logistics trunk line, it is set up shower functional areas for the driver group, reflecting our working ideas of co-construction according to local conditions." Liu Chan, Chairman of the Jiangyan District Federation of Trade Unions, introduced that Jiangyan District also encouraged and guided new employment groups to discover people's livelihood problems and participate in community governance through trade union stations, and promote the transformation of new employment groups from "service objects" to "governance forces".

After the interview, the reporter walked out of the station, and the stores on the street closed one after another, but the station behind him was still brightly lit and warm.