ITF statement on 30th November action day, UK

29 November 2011

ITF statement on 30th November action day, UK

Speaking on behalf of the ITF and its 779 member trade unions, the organisation’s general secretary, David Cockroft, said today: “The four million members of the International Transport Workers’ Federation declare their total and absolute support for the 30th November action day as strikes, rallies and a variety of events are held in protest at the UK government’s decision to increase workers’ pension contribution payments.

“Transport workers internationally support the many UK public sector workers who will be striking to protect pensions. At the same time, the European Federation of Public sector Unions – the European arm of our sister organisation the PSI, is coordinating actions which include the 15th Greek General strike, a week of mobilisation against austerity and privatisation in Italy and with a campaign of mobilisation in Portugal.

“These key actions are part of a global response to governments that are pursuing measures that shift the economic and social burden of the economic crisis further onto the shoulders of working people. Alongside public sector workers, transport workers face demands for wage cuts, austerity and reductions in social security protection, and suffer from the impacts of free trade agreements and attacks on trade unions worldwide.

“The crisis was the result of deregulated capitalism and was not caused by workers, their unions, social programmes and public sector benefits. That’s why the ITF as part of the global labour movement backs not only today’s action but will also support broader movements such as that of the Occupy protesters.

“The ITF applauds its UK affiliates on the 30th November action day and calls on other affiliates worldwide to continue to push back the political offensive and to energetically support their fellow workers in the public sector in pursuit of our common aims: the defence of decent work and of quality public services that benefit all working people, their families and their communities.”

ENDS

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