Introducing the ITF

8/7/2019 Introducing the ITF

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Why International Solidarity

Internationalism has a long history. There are manyexamples of unions and workers in one countrysupporting unions and workers in another country.

Over 100 years ago, unions formed international tradeunion organisations like the ITF.

Globalisation means that international solidarity andlinks are more essential than ever before.

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Building Global Organisations

International trade union organisations organise andcoordinate solidarity.

There are 10 global union federations (GUFs) eachrepresenting a specific industrial sector.

GUFs form part of the international trade unionmovement together with the ICFTU.

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What is the ITF?

The ITF is a Global Union Federation which bringstogether transport workers unions internationally.

Over 600 unions are affiliated to the ITF.Began in 1896 in London by European seafarers

and dockers unions.

The ITF represents workers in all transport sectorsincluding shipping, ports, railways, road, civilaviation and tourism.

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Common experiences

Globalisation has brought about many changes in thetransport industry.

Privatisation of public transport.

Growing power of multinational operators.

Liberalisation has opened the transport market tocompetition, driving down costs.

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Common issues and problems

Massive job losses

Deteriorating working conditions

Weakening of unions

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How the ITF responds

Provides a platform for affiliates to exchangeinformation and experiences.

Develops and coordinates international campaigns andactions.

Organises and coordinates solidarity.

Represents transport workers at a global level.

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How the ITF responds

Develops trade union policy promoting

alternatives to neo-liberal transport restructuring.

Provides education on international issues.

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Building sectoral links

ITF affiliates are grouped according to sector. For

example, rail or road or aviation.

Building link in the same transport sector enablesstrong global union solidarity and coordination.

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Strong unions need women

Women transport workers share many common problems.

The ITF supports increasing womens participationand leadership in affiliates.

Women Transporting the World Campaign

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Participating in ITF structures

RegionsSections

ManagementCommittee

Secretariat (London)

Executive Board

Affiliates(Members)Congress

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Mobilising Solidarity

International work must be linked to organising and bargaininglocally.

Workers need links with other workers in the samemultinational companies.

Workers needs links along the transport chain.

Increasingly unions need global links and solidarity to windisputes.

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Introducing the ITF

Documents

Transcript of Introducing the ITF