Summer School Success
Trade unionists unite to build strength
Trade union work can be very challenging at times, which is why it’s so important to share knowledge and experience.
The ITF summer school is one tool to find solutions to common issues, across the international divide. In 2009, 35 participants from 23 countries, representing 31 unions attended the school, which was held in the UK.
The programme focused on the impact of transport restructuring on unions and fits with the ITF’s programme of organising globally. Many unions have experienced the impact of neo-liberal policies through privatisation, liberalisation and restructuring of the workforce. The school aims to build trade union solidarity, so we can collectively meet these challenges.
The summer school builds campaigning, organising and communications skills, by looking at practical case studies. For example an organiser from British union Unite explained how the union had been able to organise self-employed taxi drivers in the north of England. The local council proposed removing the limit on the number of licensed cabs, potentially flooding the market with new drivers without enough work to go around. Unite organised around the issue, and drivers got involved by taking direct action, demonstrating with their cabs blocking roads to get their message across.
How Did the ITF Summer School Help You?
Özlem Keles, BTS, Turkey
The most important part of summer school for me was the chance to bring the experience back and use it in a real life situation.
We have had an ongoing campaign for a general strike in Turkey, which was held on 25th November. The summer school was very valuable for us, because we found international solidarity and support. We have been in touch with the ITF and ETF since, and have had the chance to ask questions and get advice from their experience.
The school provided an opportunity to find ways to collectivize the struggle, in an international arena.
Julian Hunte, Barbados Workers’ Union
The ITF Summer School was an unmatched experience in terms of the chance to meet, work with and become friends with trade union colleagues from so many countries.
By making it possible to share the details of our respective challenges, responses, successes and tribulations in the fight for social justice, it has been a key component in the affirming principle that a threat to prosperity anywhere is a threat to prosperity anywhere. The demographic spread of participants showed that there is more which unites us than that which separates us.
I draw from my ITF “tool kit” every day, using the lessons in strategic planning and of empowering others through delegation of tasks, a belief in their personal power to overcome their challenges through collectivism.
Simon Weller, Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, UK
Whilst the former stately home venue for this year’s ITF Summer School was imposing and the English countryside charming, it was education that had drawn together so many union activists and officials from all continents.
It was important education as it centred on effective organising and campaign strategies. This highlights another point for me: we sometimes blur education and organising but they are most certainly different disciplines and should be approached as such.
So, what did I take away from the school on a personal level, other than greater confidence and a more strategic approach to delivering campaigns?
Quite simply it was understanding. An understanding that can only be gained by working with other trade unionists from around the world, sharing the same common goal. Some of whom you know you will never see again but the friendships and knowledge you gain from them will stay with you forever. It was a privilege to participate.
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The trade unionists who attended the school were working in very varied settings. But the participants found they had a lot in common: increased casualisation, outsourcing and difficulties in recruiting younger union members.
There were a few regions where union power is growing, although the general trend was one of membership decline. There was also a heated debate on whether unions should organise self-employed transport workers, with some delegates arguing that there is a conflict of interests while others believed unions should welcome new kinds of members.
The participants at the summer school came from different countries, regions, industrial sections, work activities and union backgrounds. This sharing of diverse political, organisational and cultural experiences was a great learning experience, as well as the formal programme.
Alana Dave, ITF head of education, said, “The ITF summer school helps participants learn from each other and go back to their union with new skills and new ideas.”
“Our participants do union work in many different environments. But the challenges of organising are similar the world over. This is why the ITF is proud to help these union activists come together and support each other. When trade unionists from around the world share experiences and build relationships, great things happen.”
The ITF summer school is financially supported by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. IN 2009, affiliates from the UK and Ireland also gave a substantial contributionto the costs.
The next ITF summer school will be held towards the end of 2010, and will be French-speaking.
400 Trade Unionists 60 Countries 10 Years
More than 400 trade unionists from 60 countries have taken part in the ITF summer school over the last 10 years.
The school is aimed at union leaders and activists, and its goal is to strengthen the international perspective of transport unions.
The ITF went back to participants from the last decade, and asked them what they thought about the summer school. Here are some of the comments we received.
“It gives the participants knowledge, practical tools and creates close connections, even friendships. It makes unionists feel stronger and powerful. Thank you!”
“It brings motivated people together for very high profile training in a nice environment. International trade union work starts with training and awareness work.”
“Workers can share what they are tackling. Though our situations are different, our challenges are almost the same. Through attending the school, I learned much.”
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