Who is the world’s worst boss?

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is running a competition to find the worst boss in the world – and there’s a familiar face in their hall of shame: Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways. He’s the man responsible for the culture of fear at the airline, the one staff there say they’re most […]


April 30, 2014

Industry to gather for first IATA Cabin Operations Safety Conference (iata.org)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the first Cabin Operations Safety Conference, 20-22 May 2014 in Madrid, Spain. “Cabin operations safety is an integral part of our overall commitment to safety of flight. The Cabin Operations Safety Conference provides a forum to address the most important challenges from a global perspective, bringing together […]


April 17, 2014

ITF demands investigation into Norwegian airline

ITF unions have vowed to protect working conditions for aviation workers at Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS). Norway’s ITF-affiliated Parat union has long campaigned against NAS working practices. The airline has a track record of seeking to avoid Nordic working regulations by outsourcing various parts of its operations. In February, NAS obtained a license to operate […]


Swazi union leader finally free

Basil Thwala, legal advisor to the Swaziland Transport & Allied Workers’ Union (STAWU), was released from prison this weekend. ITF affiliate STAWU has been fighting to free Thwala since 2012, when he was arrested and charged on a picket line protest. Swaziland is one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarchies, and has a record […]


April 15, 2014

ITF signs memorandum of understanding with ACFTU

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ACFTU, the All China Federation of Trade Unions, that commits both organisations to a process of dialogue and information sharing. The MOU was signed in Beijing by ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton and ACFTU vice-president Jiang Guangping, who is […]


April 14, 2014

ITF disturbed over continued human rights abuses in Swaziland

The International Transport Workers’ Federation is disturbed to hear that less than 48 hours after charges were dropped against two human rights’ defenders in Swaziland, fresh warrants have been issued for their arrests. Following a high court order, Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) lawyer Thulani Maseko and The Nation Magazine editor Bheki Makhubu were […]


April 9, 2014

EU probes airlines with large foreign stakeholders (ft.com)

The European Commission has launched an inquiry into stakes held by foreign  investors in four European airlines, warning that EU rules prohibit foreign  companies from exercising “effective control” of airlines registered in the  28-member bloc. The EU probe targets four airlines with sizeable foreign  stakeholders, including German low-cost carrier Air Berlin, and comes days after […]


April 8, 2014

Cabin crew vow to support Qantas comrades

Representatives of ITF-affiliated cabin crew unions meeting in London today pledged their support for their Qantas colleagues, who are facing unparalleled job cuts.They acted in response to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s plans to sack 5,000 staff, resolving to extend solidarity support and to carry the message back to their unions that the cuts must be […]


April 5, 2014