A delegation from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), including representatives from various unions such as ver.di from Germany, represented by Robert Hengster, and Unite the Union from the UK, represented by Kris Major, alongside Gabriel Mocho Rodriguez, Secretary of the ITF Civil Aviation Section, convened at the 13th meeting of the ICAO Facilitation Panel (FALP/13) in Montreal last week. Their participation significantly influenced the discussions, focusing on crucial issues concerning the treatment and safety of aviation workers worldwide. During the discussions on “Cre ..read more

Colombia is in the process of introducing new legislation, in a significant move to safeguard the rights and well-being of workers in the aviation industry.  The proposed legislation, which was filed on 20 February in the House of Representatives and due to be considered in Parliament soon, will put an end to the escalating trend of unacceptable behaviour towards aviation staff by implementing comprehensive protection measures and strengthening existing procedures and to curb violations of legal regulations by passengers.  Recent data from the national civil aviation of the country ..read more

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliate ver.di has secured an historic collective agreement, including improved wages and working conditions for over 30,000 employees at major German airports following strike action earlier this week.  This historic agreement sets a precedent by replacing numerous individual agreements and sets a new standard for the industry.  Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary said: “This is a major victory in the fight for fair treatment of workers and better working conditions in the ground-handling industry. The successful negotiation ..read more

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is issuing a call for solidarity as members of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) prepare for imminent strike action at Bristow Helicopters. Amidst a protracted dispute over fair pay settlement, ITF stands in support of BALPA’s efforts to secure just compensation for its members. BALPA, representing both pilots and technical crew, including winch operators and winch paramedics, has been embroiled in negotiations with Bristow for over a year. Despite sustained discussions, the company has failed to present viable offers, promptin ..read more

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) defend the rights of striking aviation workers in Germany today (20 February) and support Ver.di’s calls for immediate and meaningful engagement on a new collective bargaining agreement, restoring wage cuts made during the Covid pandemic.  Ver.di called the strike due to management’s refusal to meaningfully engage with the union.  In an effort to achieve fairer wages and better working conditions for aviation employees, Ver.di has been negotiating for Lufthansa ground staff, fo ..read more

146 members of the US Congress have written to the CEO of Delta Air Lines urging them to stop union busting activities and commit to negotiating in good faith if their employees choose to form a union.  Delta employees announced a coordinated campaign to organise in November 2022 amongst flight attendants, fleet service workers, and technicians, supported by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).  But Delta’s history of union busting tactics whi ..read more

Security staff at some of Germany’s biggest airports, including the global hub Frankfurt, walked off the job on Thursday, grounding flights and piling pain on Europe’s largest economy. The 24-hour strike, called by labour union Verdi, is the latest in a series of industrial actions that has paralysed the country’s transportation sector in recent weeks. Almost 200,000 travellers will be affected by over 1,100 flight cancellations or delays, the German airports association ADV estimated on Wednesday as some of Germany’s biggest airports including Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart said the ..read more

The Haneda Airport IncidentOn January 2, 2024, a tragic accident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport involving a Japan Airlines and a Coast Guard aircraft underscored the critical role of cabin crew in ensuring passenger safety. Despite the severity of the collision and the ensuing fire, all 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines plane were safely evacuated, a testament to the flight crew’s professionalism. Sadly, the incident resulted in the loss of five crew members from the smaller aircraft. Daily Challenges This is not an isolated incident. Cabin crew around the world ensure passenger safety on every ..read more

COP28, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – On International Civil Aviation Day, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is today calling on governments the world over to implement subsidies and incentive programmes to ramp up the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to ensure the industry meets its decarbonisation targets and enable it to focus on upskilling and retaining staff as part of a just transition to a sustainable future. “Right now, airlines are trying to stimulate SAF production by creating confidence in demand through offtake agreements for future ..read more

The 51st General Assembly of the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA) saw active involvement from representatives of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The event, which took place in South America for the first time, was hosted by the ITF-affiliated Association of Air Traffic Technicians and Employees for the Protection and Safety of Air Navigation (ATEPSA) in Buenos Aires from 12 to 17 November 2023. Bringing together 130 participants from over 80 countries, the Assembly aimed to foster discussions and initiatives for enhancing ..read more