As members of the global trade union movement – and representatives of aviation unions from across the globe – we stand united against the rising threat of chauvinism, nationalism and unilateralism casting an ominous shadow across the world.
We have already seen how quick right-wing governments around the world are to attack labour rights, including our fundamental principles and rights at work. These attacks erode democracy, fuel division and purposefully pit workers against fellow workers.
As trade unionists we believe that the collective power of trade unions is the most potent counterforce against threats of scarcity and false competition between workers that seeks to weaken our collective power.
Workplaces – whether on the ground or in the air – are the front line in the fight for our rights and democracy- from airport workers in the USA being stripped of their right to collectively bargain, to the Milei government threatening aviation union leaders with jail sentences. In the face of these attacks, we must build even stronger unions and federations to campaign for workers’ rights in our communities and across the world.
We must protect and advance the rights of working people to join unions, collectively bargain and uplift ourselves and each other.
As aviation workers we know that aviation is a diverse, global industry built on inclusivity – this is a principle that is non-negotiable, as it is fundamental to our history and identity.
We are proud that our industry’s workers come from different communities across the world, and that diversity is to be defended at our heart. This diversity is our strength, and we will not allow reactionary voices to push us into isolation.
We reject any knee-jerk slide into protectionism that rings hollow when these same voices clamour for deregulation and free-market policies elsewhere to the benefit of billionaires and oligarchs. These contradictions are only designed to mislead and divide us.
As representatives for aviation workers worldwide, we are laser-focused on what truly matters: safe, secure, and fair working conditions that uplift every aviation worker – and workers’ the world over.
Now more than ever, our unity is our power. An injury to one is an injury to all.
We, the civil aviation workers, united through the International Transport Workers’ Federation, will not cede ground to those who seek to weaken our rights or our democracy. Instead, we unite in solidarity—proud, resilient, and ready to defend and expand the freedoms that belong to us all.
