Press Room

Breaking news and analysis, expert opinion and other media resources from the ITF.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation’s media team is part of a global movement, working with the world’s media to fight for workers’ rights.

Our team can assist journalists with enquiries on both international and UK issues, in multiple languages.

Media contacts
Are you a journalist? Please email media@itf.org.uk for all press and media enquiries, or contact individual members of the team via phone or WhatsApp.
Rosalyn Smith Media Manager Tel: +44 7522 229623
Sian Manaz Deputy Communications Director Tel: +44 7850 736145

For non-media enquiries, please email mail@itf.org.uk

If you are a seafarer and you need help, please email seafsupport@itf.org.uk

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Latest press releases
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news Press Release

First victory for staff rights at Qatar Airways

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is celebrating the first victory for staff rights at Qatar Airways (QR) after the airline admitted that it has removed its contractual pregnancy and marriage prohibitions. These demanded that anyone becoming pregnant had to notify management, at which point she would be likely to lose her job, and forbade marriage for five years (even after that time permission had to be sought to marry).
Civil Aviation
Tourism
Women
Global
Arab World
news Press Release

Joint ETF-ITF press release: Europe's dockworkers' unions brace for overcapacity in container transportation

On August 26 and 27 dockworkers’ unions in the ‘Hamburg-Le Havre Range’ (comprising all major seaports in Germany, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom and Belgium) will meet in Rotterdam to discuss the threats of overcapacity and on-going automation of terminals. They will also examine the expansion of global terminal operator DP World in Europe.
Dockers
Global
Europe
About the ITF

ITF is raising the voice of workers to improve the lives of workers. The leadership, advocacy, campaigning and direct action of ITF and our affiliated unions – at country, regional and global levels – has had a significant and tangible impact on workers’ lives and futures, both improving local conditions and raising international standards.

We are a democratic, affiliate-led federation, connecting and leveraging the power of trade unions from 153 countries. Find out more.

OUR SPOKESPEOPLE

Our spokespeople are experts in their field and can speak on a broad range of issues. Call the press team to arrange an interview.

GENERAL SECRETARY
Stephen Cotton
Stephen Cotton was elected at the 43rd ITF Congress in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2014, re-elected at the 46th ITF Congress in Singapore, 2018 and the 46th ITF Congress in Marrakech, 2024. Under his leadership, the ITF has transformed into a proactive campaigning organisation, allowing the ITF and its affiliates to secure industry-leading contracts and protocols with key multinational companies in the transport sector.
ITF PRESIDENT
Paddy Crumlin
Paddy Crumlin is the President of the ITF, a position he has held since 2010. He is also National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), a role he has held since 2000, National President of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), and a Member of the Executive Board of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
ITF’s wider elected leadership include regional Vice Presidents, as well as and industrial section and department chairs. They can be contacted through the press team.

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The latest news on the issues affecting us all, and the actions we’re taking to improve our working lives and futures.