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European backing for unions in other regions is crucial, says ITF general secretary
29 May 2009
European labour organisations had a key role to play in continuing to support fledgling unions in regions of the world where there were even greater challenges than in Europe. That statement was among the remarks made by ITF general secretary David Cockroft at the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) congress this week.
During his opening address to the congress in Ponta Delgada in the Azores on 27 May, Cockroft stated that the ITF stood ready to continue to support the ETF, the ITF’s European arm - now in its tenth year of operation - and its affiliates. He said: “We are a global organisation in which each region of the world has the right to an equal place. Europe is where the ITF has its roots. This is where trade unionism came into existence.”
He told delegates: “The other regions of the ITF need your support if they are going to grow. The ITF and the unions in this hall have continued to support growing unions which face much tougher conditions than you face in Europe.” He recognised the active role that many had played in the ITF campaign for workers’ rights in Iran, highlighting similar campaigns in Guatemala and India.
In addition, Cockroft referred to challenges facing unions in the European Union as a result of four European Court of Justice decisions taken last year. These meant that “the rights of employers within the single market trump the rights of workers to organise internationally and to stop social dumping.”
He added: “The fight against social dumping and to ensure that union rights are fundamental to the development of a social Europe is not a minor issue alongside the crisis, it is central to whether the European Union is a tool to advance workers’ interests or destroy them.”
Cockroft also paid tribute to Willi Haberzettl, the ETF’s president and the ITF’s European vice-president, who was stepping down at the congress, and Graham Stevenson of UNITE UK and ITF executive board member, both of whom were influential in creating a strong European structure that was key to ITF operations. Stevenson was elected new ETF president. He also praised Eduardo Chagas, who was re-elected as ETF general secretary, and the secretariat team in Brussels.
Other key themes at the congress included: the need to end cutthroat competition and lobby for greater investment in a sustainable future for transport in Europe, ensuring employers do not use the economic crisis to skimp on workers’ wages and working conditions and the importance of social dialogue.
For more information on the congress visit: http://www.itfglobal.org/etf/index.cfm
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