PASS testifies regarding FAA certification process

On 30 October 2013, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), which represents approximately 3,000 aviation safety inspectors at the Federal Aviation Administration, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Aviation, regarding the safety and efficiency of the FAA’s certification process. Aviation safety inspectors have successfully and efficiently provided oversight of the […]


October 31, 2013

Union of Turkish Bar Associations supports workers’ rights!

On 23 October 2013, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) held a very important meeting entitled “Flight Safety and labour Peace in the Context of the Turkish Airlines Strike Symposium.” Over 600 participants attended the meeting, which was held in Ankara. The TBB is an organisation for Turkish lawyers, uniting over 80,000 lawyers in […]


October 30, 2013

ITF news online

Comments Off on Workers unite worldwide for Reinstate the 305 campaign

Workers unite worldwide for Reinstate the 305 campaign

Workers from across the globe are keeping up the pressure in support of striking Turkish Airlines (THY) workers who were unfairly sacked by phone, email or text.

THY workers have been striking for nearly 170 days. The latest wave of action, which ran from 7-20 October, aimed to raise awareness of the workers’ situation among THY passengers. The action was organised by THY workers’ union Hava-Is.

The ITF-affiliated Philippines Airlines Employers Association (PALEA) handed out leaflets to THY passengers in Makati City, Philippines, and visited the local THY sales office to raise awareness. The Federation of Transport Trade Unions in Bulgaria (FTTUB) also took part in the campaign, handing out flyers to passengers waiting to check in at Sofia airport. The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union joined with Australia Asia Worker Links to raise awareness at Tullamarine Airport International Terminal, while workers from the Indian Airports Employees Union distributed 200 leaflets to THY passengers on arrival in Mumbai.
 
Global union federation the International Union of Food Workers (IUF), which represents workers in hotels, hospitality, catering and associated fields, also organised an urgent global appeal, urging affiliates to put pressure on THY senior management to get back around the negotiating table.
 
ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho Rodriguez said: “Striking Hava-Is workers remain strong! We stand side-by-side with our affiliates in calling on THY management to get back around the table with their workers, to open up dialogue with them, and to put passenger and crew health and safety first.”

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) met on 23 October 2013, to discuss the legal implications of this ongoing battle between THY and workers. ITF civil aviation assistant secretary Kemal Ulker spoke at this conference, which was attended by a mixture of workers, lawyers and academics. You can read about it on the ITF Aviation blog >>

Check out pictures from global actions here>>

Read more about the reinstate the 305 campaign, including finding out how to get involved, at http://www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/reinstate305.cfm


IAM Members Ratify Contracts at United Airlines

After more than four years of negotiations, a merger of three airlines and numerous representation elections, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today announced members at United Airlines ratified agreements covering approximately 30,000 fleet service, passenger service and stockroom employees. “I thank all IAM members for their patience and solidarity through this […]


October 29, 2013

ITF news online

Comments Off on ITF slams Qatar Airways’ oneworld alliance membership

ITF slams Qatar Airways’ oneworld alliance membership

The ITF this week branded Qatar Airways’ (QA) imminent membership of prestigious world aviation grouping the oneworld alliance “a disgrace”. The ITF, which exposed QA’s treatment of women workers last month, is leading protests against QA’s ascension to the alliance next Wednesday 30th October. The oneworld alliance currently includes global giants like British Airways and American Airlines.

In the draconian regulations set out in their contracts, women workers at QA are prevented from marrying, while pregnancy means dismissal. There are also restrictions on where workers can eat or drink, what transport they can use, and who they can be seen in public with. Breaking regulations or conditions is likely to result in sacking and deportation: a real worry for the 90 percent of QA’s workforce who aren’t Qatari nationals.

ITF president Paddy Crumlin commented: “The labour relations at Qatar Airways are a running sore on the face of the global aviation industry. Autocratic, overbearing and near-dictatorial, this airline gains control and competitive advantage by ignoring International Labour Organization conventions on worker rights. Its treatment of its employees borders on the appalling.

“In its current form it is not a fit partner for the members of the oneworld alliance. Its inclusion is a disgrace. If it is going to be accepted as a world class airline then it has to make fundamental changes throughout its entire structure. Those changes have to start at the top, with the replacement of its CEO, Akbar Al-Bakr, who is responsible for much of the disastrous relations with its own employees – and then be carried right through Qatari society, as the recent shocking revelations about the treatment of construction workers there demands.”

ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) general secretary Sharan Burrow stated: “The exposure of the abuses of workers in Qatar has put nations and companies on notice. International pressure is growing, and companies which fail to take responsibility for workers’ rights and follow global rules risk reputational damage.”

Read the press release in full >> to find out more about QA worker abuses and why using Facebook could get you fired from QA.

Check out ITUC’s page on Qatar at http://www.ituc-csi.org/qatar


October 25, 2013

UK: Swissport workers from across the country vote for action (unitetheunion.org)

Workers from the ground handling company Swissport based at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Stansted airports have overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay. 94 per cent of workers balloted voted in favour of strike action. The massive vote in favour of action has prompted the company to request an urgent […]


October 21, 2013

Don’t mess with air traffic management jobs in European Sky!

ETF demands a social dimension inside the Single European Sky Today, Monday 14 October 2013, over 200 air traffic management (ATM) staff delegates from across Europe demonstrate in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, following the call of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).They protest to express their disagreement with the new package on […]


October 15, 2013

Married to the job (economist.com)

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), a grouping of trade unions representing 4.5m transport employees around the world, was never going to be Qatar’s biggest fan. Unions are banned in the ultra-rich Gulf state, where expatriates account for 94% of the total work force. Little wonder, then, that one disgruntled cabin-crew member at Qatar Airways […]