In A Historic First, ITF Staff To Strike Over Job Cuts & Workers’ Rights

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is facing a strike from its employees for the first time in its history. Over 100 unionised workers based in London, who are members of the British trade union Unite, have voted to take industrial action against ITF’s leadership over a major restructuring plan.

The organisation has announced a proposal to cut its workforce by 25 percent this year. According to Unite, the planned layoffs come while executive salaries at the ITF have gone up by 47 percent between 2021 and 2024.

The general secretary’s total pay package has reached £309,000 ($420,000), making it one of the highest in the global union sector. Although high, it is still less than half the salary of Harold Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), who earns around $900,000 annually. ILA is one of ITF’s largest regional affiliates.

Unite said the number of senior management positions is not being reduced in the restructuring plan. The union also raised concerns that ITF’s management is asking staff to give up their current collective bargaining agreement and accept a new version prepared by external consultants. Unite described this new document as “toothless” and lacking protections for workers.

In a vote held among ITF’s London staff, 89 percent supported strike action and 90 percent voted for other forms of industrial action. The turnout was 89 percent. Unite has confirmed that strike days are set for 22 and 29 July. A work-to-rule and overtime ban will begin from 17 July. If the dispute is not resolved, the union has warned that further action will follow.

Unite also alleged that the restructuring plan is hitting women workers harder. According to the union, many roles with a higher number of female employees are being targeted with downgraded pay and increased workload, while male-dominated senior posts are being protected.

The ITF has claimed financial difficulties as the reason behind the restructuring. However, Unite said that ITF’s management has refused to provide the financial documents requested by the union on behalf of staff. A complaint has now been filed with the UK’s Central Arbitration Committee to address this issue.

Unite’s regional officer Mercedes Sanchez said that ITF workers are being treated unfairly and that the job cuts and efforts to weaken collective bargaining should be reversed. She said that Unite will fully support the employees in their fight.

She also pointed out that ITF affiliates had approved an ambitious five-year work plan at the October 2024 congress, but the ongoing cuts would make it impossible to achieve that vision. In some departments, the proposed restructuring would leave only one staff member behind, which Sanchez described as “short-sighted and self-destructive.”

The planned cuts may also affect the services ITF provides to its affiliates and seafarers. ITF is a key organisation that advocates for the rights of seafarers across the world. It helps in reporting abandonment cases, provides legal assistance, and leads international negotiations on seafarer minimum wages.

Currently, ITF works with the International Chamber of Shipping to set the foreign-flag minimum wage for ratings, which is now around $690 per month.

Reference: unitetheunion

Source: Maritime Shipping News