Introducing the ITF

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Introducing the ITF
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International Affiliation

• Our union is affiliated to the International
  Transport Workers Federation (ITF).
• Many members do not know much about the
  international affiliation of their union.
• Members need to be informed because international
  links and solidarity are important for building
  strong unions.

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Why International Solidarity

• Internationalism has a long history. There are
  many examples of unions and workers in one
  country supporting unions and workers in another
  country.
• Over 100 years ago, unions formed international
  trade union organisations like the ITF.
• Globalisation means that international solidarity
  and links are more essential than ever before.

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Building Global Organisations

• International trade union organisations organise
  and coordinate solidarity.
• There are 10 global union federations (GUFs) each
  representing a specific industrial sector.
• GUFs form part of the international trade union
  movement together with the ICFTU.

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What is the ITF?

• The ITF is a Global Union Federation which brings
  together 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
  sectors including shipping, ports, railways,
  road, civil aviation and tourism.

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Common experiences

• Globalisation has brought about many changes in
  the transport industry.
• Privatisation of public transport.
• Growing power of multinational operators.
• Liberalisation has opened the transport market to
  competition, 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 exchange
  information and experiences.
• Develops and coordinates international campaigns
  and actions.
• 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
  enables strong 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 participation
  and leadership in affiliates.
• Women Transporting the World Campaign

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Participating in ITF structures
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Mobilising Solidarity

• International work must be linked to organising
  and bargaining locally.
• Workers need links with other workers in the same
  multinational companies.
• Workers needs links along the transport chain.
• Increasingly unions need global links and
  solidarity to win disputes.

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