19.10.2018

ITF section headed by Russian representative for the first time

On October 18, during  the 44th Congress of  International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in Singapore, a milestone  event happened. For  the  first time  in the history of  global trade movement, one  of the ITF transport sections was headed by Federation's representative from Russia. The Chairman  of the Seafarers' Union of Russia (SUR), Yuri Sukhorukov was elected  as a Chief of ITF Inland Navigation Section. The delegates of  Congress  voiced  for the  candidate an unanimous support. The union leaders  from the USA, Argentina, Bangladesh and Belgium  were  elected as  Deputy Heads of  Yuri Sukhorukov.

“Be at the  head of  Inland Navigation Section is  a high privilege  and huge responsibility”,  said Yuri Sukhorukov  in his speech addressed to Congress. “I know that the  inland shipping  is  in a bad way. I know what kind of  challenges we meet following a continuous economic crisis, on the  one  hand, and emerging advanced technology, on the other. But I'm sure that together  we  will build a sustainable  and bright  future for industry. To identify a strategy  and  tactics to achieve goals  is in  ahead, although I clearly see our main mission — to do a life  and  labour  of  our  members, who are simple workers, better and  easier. Thanks for  your confidence”. Congress's delegates were  greeting of Sukhorukov's  electing  with continuous applause. They favorably  pointed out  that it was first time  in 122-year ITF history, one of its transport sections  was helmed by the representative from  union  movement  in Russia.

The ITF Secretary-General Steve  Cotton  congratulated the  SUR leader and noted that the function of the ITF Inland Navigation Section  plays  an important role  for million workers around the  world, where exists a  vast network  of  natural or  human-made   rivers, lakes and channels, which  are being used  for shipping all kind of cargoes.  The ITF represents the  interests   of crews  and  port workers engaged  in inland trade waterways and  passenger  tourism. There are  86 unions joined about 560,000  members. Under  the ITF  umbrella,  they hold  campaigns  for improvement  of labour  conditions.

It should  be  noted that the Inland Navigation Section and also  other transport sections  of ITF will have to address such difficult tasks as globalization, industry deregulation, education, retraining, retention and job creation, rights of women and youth,  innovation, automation  and  many others.  A coordinated and  international team is needed for  successful  realization of these  tasks.    Therefore,   deputies, who were  elected by vote, will work upon these  issues  in cooperation and  under Yuri Sukhorukov’s command. Among his deputies are: Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Federation of Unions Alam Chowdhury Ashiqul, Secretary-General of  the Argentina Fisheries and Cabotage Union Julio Gonzalez  Insfran, National Secretary  and  Treasurer at the Inland Shipping Union in the  US Terri Mast, representative  of  the French Democratic  Confederation of Labour Valerie Latron (on behalf of women) and  representative  from the Argentina Fisheries and  Cabotage Union   Cinthia Diaz (on behalf  of youth). Tomorrow  the  Congress  will continue  its work.


Reference:  The International Transport Workers' Federation was established in 1896. The ITF includes following sections: seafarers, dockers, railway workers, road transport workers, civil aviation, inland waterways transport, fisheries and tourism. In 140 countries the Federation represents  19,7 million transport workers in 670 trade unions. It protects  their  interests  through global campaigns and solidarity actions. The  ITF is a part of the International Trade Union Confederation.


↑ 

Up