Education in a changing environment

Education is an important tool to help build strong unions in response to the global restructuring of the transport industry. The ITF places emphasis on education activities which deal with issues linked to globalisation in the transport industry, relate to the industrial priorities of the different transport sectors, and are coordinated on a sub-regional, regional and global level. Both industrialised and developing countries are targeted.

ITF long-term education objectives aim to:

• Build an awareness amongst union leaders and members of the importance of international solidarity and organisation in the context of globalisation;
• Promote the development of a critical analysis of and response to transport restructuring;
• Support and strengthen trade union organising;
• Strengthen policy, organisation and union strategy at a subregional and regional level in order to respond effectively to regional/subregional economic integration and policy making;
• Build the participation and voice of women workers and other marginalized transport workers in ITF affiliates and structures.

The role of the ITF Education Department

The department is charged with the strategic development and co-ordination of ITF education activities designed to support and strengthen transport workers' trade unions.

The education department aims to:

Support ITF industrial sections by running education programmes and producing materials to strengthen union responses to key industrial issues such as privatisation and liberalisation. This builds transport unions’ capacity to organise more effectively and to proactively respond to industrial change.

Initiate cross-sectional education activities addressing issues relevant to all transport sectors including logistics, HIV/AIDS, organising informal transport workers and building women’s participation and leadership in unions.

Provide basic trade union education to build and strengthen structures, collective bargaining, decision-making and policy in affiliates.

Provide training to educators in the use of ITF resource materials and to integrate education on international issues into trade union education programmes.

Develop tailor made courses for affiliates.

Coordinate a global educators network which links trainers in affiliates with the ITF Education Department in London and the regions.

Organise and coordinate study visits to the ITF.

Link with fraternal trade union and workers’ education organisations including other Global Union Federations, IFWEA, labour service organisations and NGOs.

Coordinate relations with solidarity support organisations which financially support education activities in developing countries.

ITF Summer School

A highlight of the ITF education calendar is the annual Summer School. ITF affiliated unions have been finding that many of the issues which affect their members at a local level frequently have an international dimension, which requires an international response. This week long education programme provides an opportunity to explore and analyse the links between local issues and global trends. The Summer School brings together transport trade union leaders and activists from all regions and transport sectors.

Education for transport sectors

Education seminars for unions in maritime, aviation, road and rail take place at a regional, sub regional and national level.

Railways

Projects are concerned with restructuring and privatisation processes, which have dramatically impacted on workers and unions. The aim is to bring unions together in order to share experiences and develop strategies, including developing concrete alternatives to government plans.

Road Transport

Road transport is facing increasing informalisation particularly in developing countries. Education is focused on strengthening union capacity to organise road transport workers both in the formal and informal arenas.

Civil Aviation

Industrial change in the civil aviation sector means that unions need to work together in order to analyse and respond to deregulation, which could result in lower labour and safety standards. Education programmes assist aviation unions to analyse the changes and develop counter responses.

Maritime

ITF education programmes create awareness of and support the ITF campaign against Flags of Convenience. Education seminars are also run for port workers on issues related to port reform and privatisation.

Cross-sectional education programmes

Education activities also promote a cross-sectoral approach and perspective.

Women transport workers

The ITF runs long-term education programmes for women transport workers.

The aim is to build women as union activists and to equip them with the necessary skills.  In particular, education activities support the building of women’s committees and networks, and the participation of women activists in collective bargaining.

HIV/AIDS and transport workers

HIV/AIDS is of particular concern to transport workers. Mobility and long absences from home make transport workers vulnerable. The ITF runs education programmes which address HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, develop strategies to fight against discrimination and for prevention programmes, as well as, support for members living with HIV/AIDS.

The key aim is to build union capacity to formulate comprehensive workplace policies on HIV/AIDS which can also be included in collective bargaining agreements.

Affiliates are encouraged to work with community organisations and to lobby governments on the contributing factors to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the transport industry including border delays, inadequate rest facilities and limited access to health care, counselling and testing centres for mobile workers.

Developing Materials

The ITF education department develops materials for affiliates to use in education programmes. Materials available include:

• Globalising solidarity
• Women transporting the world
• Workers rights are human rights
  
• Strengthening union responses to port reform
• Responding to liberalisation, deregulation and industrial change in aviation
• HIV/AIDS: Transport workers take action
• Strategic campaigning
• Education modules on various issues including the role of the ITF, Globalisation and Transport, and Logistics.

ITF Regional Education co-ordinators

Each ITF regional office has a fulltime education coordinator thereby ensuring that affiliates in different regions are actively involved in education activities.  The regional offices are also in a unique position to formulate project ideas, as they understand the local issues and problems faced. The regional education co-ordinators provide affiliates with a direct link to the ITF education department in London.

Email: education@itf.org.uk