IAM air transport and rail industry leaders from across Canada and the United States were elected to top positions at the recent International Transport Workers\u2019 Federation (ITF) Global Congress.<\/p>\n
The IAM, North America\u2019s largest transportation union, is taking a leading role worldwide as transport workers find themselves at the forefront of multiple crises \u2013 from war, political instability and the rise of far-right governments to the climate crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe IAM has long known that our strength relies greatly on workers uniting worldwide to confront the multi-national corporations we deal with every day,\u201d said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice-President Richie Johnsen. \u201cTogether with the ITF and its affiliates in the transportation sector, we are closer than ever to balancing the scales for industry workers across the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Congress, held in Marrakech, Morocco, focused on building a comprehensive vision for the ITF for the next five years. Six critical demands \u2013 rights, equality, safety, accountability, sustainability and a future that works for workers \u2013 are forming the basis to build a safer, fairer and more sustainable transport industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the theme of this ITF Congress says, the IAM has always been proud to move the world forward,\u201d said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. \u201cAs we turn the page from a global pandemic, it is more important than ever that transportation workers across the world unite.\u201d<\/p>\n
The following IAM leaders were elected to ITF positions:<\/p>\n
\u201cRail workers are standing up and fighting back against corporate greed and the short-sighted profit goals of Wall Street,\u201d said TCU\/IAM National President Arthur Maratea. \u201cIt\u2019s critical that these fights be waged on at a global scale and with the backing of every rail worker across the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ITF represents 18.5 million transport workers worldwide from more than 150 countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWomen and young people are helping to lead a worldwide resurgence of union activism,\u201d said IAM Women\u2019s and Young Workers Director Julie Frietchen. \u201cIn the IAM and the ITF, we are proud to be leading the way toward making our diversity our greatest strength.\u201d<\/p>\n