In Memory: Klas Valbärj

Alterar opções do modo sem imagens | Mudar idioma | Pular conteúdo

Posição da página: Home > About us > In Memory > In Memory: Klas Valbärj

ITF translations available: Deutsch, Français, Español, Svenska, Русский
Google free translation service: Italiano, Português, 中文, 日本語, 한국어 [韓國語] - About these links

We are sad to announce that Klas Valbärj, secretary of the Nordic Transport Workers’ Federation (NTF) has died, at 59 years of age.

Klas had been on sick leave after two operations for cancer. He passed quietly away at a nursing home in Stockholm on the morning of June 26.

Klas was born in Stockholm. After completing his national service he worked as a driver for Marabou Chocolate factory, but left to study law, sitting his exams in 1979. Whilst studying he worked for a time as a taxi driver, and then as a carer at a psychiatric clinic.

From 1983 Klas worked as a researcher at the Swedish Transport Workers’ Union, covering a wide range of areas and obtaining a wide knowledge about the trade union movement. From 1987 one of his responsibilities was the Union’s EU work.

Klas was employed as the secretary of the NTF from 1 June 1997, a position that benefited from his wide knowledge of national and international trade union work.

Klas has been a driving force and an inspiration. He took the initiative to reorganise the NTF, making it focus more on concrete tasks and results. He always held the Nordic Model up as an example to be followed, and he never ceased to remind us that it is as a united north we can have a strong voice within other international organisations.

Last, but far from least, we have to thank him for all his good advice and strong involvement in connection with the publication of several books: “The FOC -Campaign...off course” and “The Price of Work – the fight against social dumping within the transport sector”. Both these books have proved valuable.

Klas was a demanding Federation secretary. But he demanded just as much of himself, and gained great respect among those who got to know him. He was above all concerned about the weak and vulnerable in the society. We remember Klas as a good colleague and a close friend.

Our thoughts are with his nearest family, his wife Larisa and his son Peter. Their grief is enormous – may our sympathy help to reduce the pain.

Per Østvold, president, Nordic Transport Workers’ Federation

Oslo, 26 June 2009

David Cockroft adds: “Klas was a dedicated fighter for internationalism and totally committed to making the ITF, ETF and NTF stronger. He played a major role in strengthening support for unions in the Baltic States. Although he sometimes had critical things to say about ITF policy, it was from a deep conviction that international solidarity was the only way forward for the trade union movement in today's global world. He will be sadly missed.”

Home page da Seção:
About us

Revista Transporte Internacional

Retornar ao modo gráfico

acessibilidade | ajuda do site | mapa do site

ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR | +44 20 7403 2733 | mail@itf.org.uk