The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is deeply saddened by the passing of Kenneth Bondas, former President of the Finnish Seafarers’ Union (FSU).
Kenneth, a father of four, died at the end of September at the age of 65. He had retired only two years earlier after devoting more than three decades to representing seafarers.
Kenneth’s trade unionism was rooted in his own working life at sea. He grew up in Vaasa on Finland’s west coast, trained in catering and ran a lunch restaurant before taking his first shipboard job in 1988. He joined the union that same year.
He spent around 18 years working in the kitchens aboard the Birka Princess. In 1992, his colleagues elected him their kitchen-department shop steward. Kenneth joined the FSU’s Executive Board in 1996, was elected Secretary in 2008, and became President in 2020, serving until his retirement in spring 2024.
“Kenneth’s years at sea gave him a direct understanding of the people he represented – and he brought that invaluable experience to his union leadership and to our international work at the ITF,” said ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton.
“We are grateful for his long service to seafarers and to our trade union family, and we will miss him dearly both as a colleague and comrade.”
Kenneth described himself as a patient, conciliatory negotiator and wanted a more open culture of discussion within the union. His deep commitment to seafarers also extended internationally through his membership of the ITF’s Fair Practices Committee and its Steering Group.
ITF President Paddy Crumlin said: “Kenneth was one of our own: a seafarer who stepped forward to represent his workmates and went on to lead their union. Through the ITF, that commitment extended to seafarers around the world. We honour his service.
“Kenneth’s passing is a tragic loss to our FSU comrades and to the wider international trade union movement.”
The ITF extends its deepest condolences to his children, family and friends, and to all our brothers and sisters at the FSU.
