Railways

Fighting for safe and sustainable rail.

Safe and sustainable rail can help power the world out of the economic, climate and social crises we face today. Safe and sustainable rail is a new economic and social model for the industry that redefines the role of passengers, workers, employers, and the state.

OUR PRIORITIES

ISSUES

Railways are a key public service and an increasingly important part of supply chains. As one of the cleanest modes of transport, the key issue for the sector is ensuring workers are not left behind as investment in the sector grows.

The global call for safe and sustainable rail has four key pillars: safety, public ownership, sustainability and social justice. We believe railways should be publicly accountable and democratic, and that public ownership is key in achieving safe and sustainable rail. Together with our affiliates, we are working to ensure representation of young and women workers, ending gender segregation, tackling violence and harassment and promoting equality.

CONTACT US

Email

WHAT WE DO

The ITF railway workers’ section brings together affiliated unions from around the world defend jobs and promote safety for all. Following the restructuring of railway systems, our united focus is on:

  • responding to the impact of changing jobs, working conditions and trade union rights
  • promoting railway safety and organising railway workers across the industry
  • advocating for public investment in the development of railways to ensure decent working conditions and permanent work
  • building union capacity for negotiating with employers, governments and international institutions
WHERE WE FOCUS

The ITF has a vision for Safe and Sustainable Railways for All.

  • Safety - Railways that are properly staffed are safer, whether that’s at the station, on the train, or in other essential areas like maintenance and repairs.
  • Accessibility - Railways that are properly staffed are not only safer but are also more accessible for those with mobility issues, including older people and people with disabilities.
  • Sustainability - Train travel is one of the most environmentally efficient modes of transport. Investment in rail infrastructure including trains that use clean energy is essential for tackling climate change. Rail workers must have a say in the introduction of new technology and be protected through a just transition.
  • Public Ownership - Railways should be publicly owned and accountable. The primary interest of private operators is profit, not the social good. 
ON THE GROUND
The latest news on the issues affecting us all, and the actions we’re taking to improve our workers' lives and futures.
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We're driving change
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Explore Resources
Resources

Railway Workers Disability Charter

Workers with disabilities exist across the railway sector in every country globally. Every day, they go to work and support the running of vital public and commercial services which help to move the
Resources

Congress Vision and Resolutions 2024-2029

We set out our 2024-2029 vision for ‘Transport Workers Moving the World Forward’. These are our demands and strategy to transform the transport industry, to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable
View more
OUR PEOPLE

We represent passenger and freight railway workers across city, regional and international borders. 

We work to achieve safe and sustainable railways globally by conducting research and implementing campaigns which support our affiliates at national level, while also building alliances with global policy makers, international organisations and employers associations aimed at raising standards for railway workers.

Contact us 

SECTION SECRETARY

Noel Coard

 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Deniz Akdogan

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EMAIL
SECTION COMMITTEE

Julio Adolfo Sosa

Sindicato La Fraternidad
,
Argentina
Chair

Muhammed Naseem Rao

RWU
,
Pakistan
Vice Chair

C A Rajasridhar

AIRF
,
India
Vice Chair (Rail)

Raul Sengo

SINPOCAF
,
Mozambique
3rd Vice Chair

Simi Laisingh

NFIR
,
India
Women Transport Workers' Representative

Preeti Singh

AIRF
,
India
Young Transport Workers' Representative
Africa

Innocent Luka Ajiji

NUR
,
Nigeria
Chair

Mahamame Thienta

SYTRAIL
,
Mali
Vice Chair

Judith Lusaka

RAWU
,
Kenya
Vice Chair
Arab world

Ahmed Rachid Sennouni

UMT
,
Morocco
Chair

Lounis Saidi

FNC
,
Algeria
Vice Chair

Thouraya Dilou

FGC
,
Tunisia
Women Transport Workers' Representative

Mohammed Qasim Bani Asad

GUISRW
,
Iraq
Young Transport Workers’ Representative
Asia Pacific

Alex Claassens

RBTU
,
Australia
Chair

Vacant

Vice Chair

Todd Valster

RMTU
,
New Zealand
Vice Chair

Hideki Fukuda

PRU Federation
,
Japan
Vice Chair

Banpot Sungkasuk

SRUT
,
Thailand
Young Transport Workers’ Representative

Divya Sharma

AIRF
,
India
Women Transport Workers Representative
Europe

Giorgio Tuti

SEV
,
Switzerland
Chair

Helena Svobodová

Odborové Sdruzeni Zeleznicáru
,
Czech Republic
Vice Chair

Audun Sør-Reime

NJF
,
Norway
Vice Chair

Gerhard Tauchner

Vida
,
Austria
Ordinary Member

Christian Tschigg

FIT-CISL
,
Italy
Ordinary Member

Jolanta Skalska

EVG
,
Germany
Women Transport Workers’ Representative

Eda Forner

FILT-CGIL
,
Italy
Young Transport Workers’ Representative

David Gobé

CGT
,
France
Ordinary Member
Latin America

Julian Ariel Sosa Cappello

Sindicato La Fraternidad
,
Argentina
Chair

Francisco Aparecido Felicio

FNTF
,
Brazil
Vice Chair

Roger Alvarado Santeliz

FBTTT
,
Venezuela
Vice Chair

Karina Fabiana Benemerito

UF
,
Argentina
Vice Chair
North America

Joel Kennedy

UNIFOR
,
Canada
Co-Chair

Arthur P Maratea

TCU
,
United States of America
Co-Chair

Alex Gordon

RMT
,
Great Britain
Safe and Sustainable Rail Representative
Sub-Committees

Vacant

Chair of the Railway Workers' Global Task Force
OUR AFFILIATES

The ITF Railways Section has 141 affiliates from 83 countries representing over 1,750,000 workers.

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ORDINARY MEMBERS
Keeping our cities moving