18th World Trade Union Congress: Opening speech by the General Secretary of the WFTU George Mavrikos

This weekend, the heart of the international trade union movement beats in Rome, where the 18th World Trade Union Congress is taking place with 419 delegates from 95 countries. 

The Congress began on Friday 6 May and will conclude on Sunday 8th May. 

On the first day, the General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) George Mavrikos delivered an opening speech, analyzing the experience from the Union's activity during the previous period as well as the challenges and struggles that are coming for the class-based working class movement: 

The 18th World Trade Union Congress kicked off in Rome

Under the sounds of "Bella Ciao" and the hymn of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the 18th World Trade Union Congress started its works today, 6th of May, in Rome. 

Greeting messages were delivered by the host USB trade union, as well as by the President of the WFTU.

The three-day Congress, which takes place under the slogan “United, we continue! For the satisfaction of our contemporary needs, against imperialist-capitalist barbarity!”, will be concluded on May 8th. 

May Day 2022: Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

On the occasion of the International Workers' Day 2022, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out:

"Long live the 18th World Trade Union Congress!

The World Trade Union Federation, on the occasion of May Day 2022, salutes workers on all continents – all those whose work continues to drive the gears of life even in difficult conditions and who continue to produce all essential goods.

India: Millions of working people participated in 48-hour general strike

Another massive general strike took place in India on 28-29th March 2022, with millions of working men and women responding to the call by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, Independent Sectoral Federations/ Associations.

"This historic strike call was given not merely on immediate demands of the workers but against the anti-national destructive policies of Central government", reads a statement by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Women's Day 2022: Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions

In a statement about the Working Women's Day, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

8 March 1857 – 8 March 2022: 165 years later

165 years ago, when the women workers in the New York textile mills, on March 8, 1857, went on strike and demonstrated for “ten-hour work, bright and sanitary workrooms, wages equal to those of male textile workers and tailors”, they certainly did not imagine that in 2022 all these demands would still be demanded.

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): Statement on Ukraine war

In a statement about the developments in Ukraine, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out:

In 1999, at the heart of Europe, NATO, the USA, the EU, and their allies bombed Yugoslavia. Today, in 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine in an unfair and destructive war.  Nevertheless, where are hidden all those who in 1991 were trying to persuade all the peoples that the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the overthrows in the countries of Eastern Europe were taking place in favor of international security and global peace?

18th WFTU Congress to be held in Rome on 6-8 May 2022

In a statement, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has announced that its 18th Congress will take place in Rome on 6-8 May 2022. More specifically, the statement points out:

The WFTU Presidential Council which met on 1&2 February 2022 announced the organization of the 18th World Trade Union Congress in Rome, Italy, on 6, 7 and 8 of May 2022, under the slogan: “United, we continue! For the satisfaction of our contemporary needs, against imperialist-capitalist barbarity!”

USA: No more workers’ blood for the profits of the bosses!

More than 90 people were killed in several states across the U.S. after tornadoes and heavy rains hit the region. Among them are six employees at AMAZON warehouse in St. Louis, Illinois, were roof collapsed and eight workers at a candle factory in Kentucky. 

In a statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and its militant trade unions across the world pledge "to continue the struggle for all necessary measures to protect workers from natural disasters and extreme weather events, measures that the US do not take because they consider them as a “cost”. 

Belarus-Poland standoff: The lives of refugees are not a tool in imperialist antagonisms

In a statement about the tension in the Belarusian-Polish border the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) underlines that "the lives of refugees are not a tool in imperialist antagonisms" and calls for an end to the imperialist interventions which are the root of refugee-migrant crisis, The statement reads:

"The tension on the Belarusian border with Poland is intensifying every day at the expense of thousands of stranded migrants and refugees who are treated like a tennis-ball in the EU – USA – NATO geopolitical confrontation with Belarus and Russia.

Hands Off Cuba! Solidarity statements from WFTU and PAME

In a statement about the recent imperialist-backed provocation against Cuba, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out:

The World Federation of Trade Unions, which is the militant voice of 105 million workers in 133 countries on five continents, conveys its internationalist solidarity to the Cuban workers and People. We strongly condemn the recent provocations orchestrated by counterrevolutionary elements in Cuba, organised and financed from the United States for destabilising purposes.

The world class-oriented trade union movement supports the Cuban People in their struggle against these actions. We demand the lifting of the criminal blockade that for 60 years has been creating serious problems for the economy and the lives of the Cuban people.

May Day 2021 — Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

“Hope lies in our struggles”

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), representing 105 million workers in 133 countries of the planet, sends a warm militant and internationalist greeting to the workers of the world, on the occasion of May Day 2021, this important day for the world working class. Each reflection, action and plan of the WFTU – especially in this difficult period for the workers and peoples of the world – has as its sole guide the interests of the working class. This 2021 will be a year of preparation for the world’s largest trade union event – the 18^th World Trade Union Congress.

Palestinians Land Day: Statement by the WFTU

On the occasion of the 45th Palestinians Land Day, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement: 

 

"The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing 105 million workers in 132 countries around the globe, commemorates the Palestinians Land Day and the heroic resistance of the People of Palestine on March 30th 1976 against the Israeli expropriation of Palestinian land. 

 

International Women's Day 2021 — Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU)

On the occasion of the 2021 International Women's Day on March 8th, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement:

Women’s equal rights in health and safety at work and in society

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the oldest trade union international representing 105 million workers in 133 countries on the five continents, offers a warm internationalist greeting to the working woman, the female trade unionist, the female militant of each country and continent on this International Working Women’s Day, March 8, 2021.

Myanmar coup: The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) condemns coup d'etat, calls workers and people to resist

In a statement about the recent military coup in Myanmar, the Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) points out the following:

The World Federation of Trade Union, on behalf of its 105 million workers who live, work and struggle in 130 countries of the 5 continents, strongly condemns the coup d’etat that is carried out in Myanmar by the armed forces of the country. Myanmar army declared a one-year state of emergency and detained several government leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Happy and Militant 2021: Messages by the WFTU and PAME

In a video message, with the Athens' Acropolis in the background, the General Secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) George Mavrikos sends his best wishes for a Happy New Year "with faith and knowledge". 

 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Statement by the World Federation of Trade Unions

Today, December 3, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Secretariat of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) issued the following statement:

On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, the World Federation of Trade Unions reiterates its support and solidarity with people with special needs and supports their demand for free, public and high quality healthcare which become even more urgent during the Pandemic of COVID-19.

Venezuela's Communist Party slams reformist "Plataforma de la Clase Obrera Antiimperialista (PCOA)"

The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) has issued a statement concerning the initiative called "Platform of the Anti-imperialist Working Class" (PCOA). Read the statement in english and spanish below:

"Together with class conscious trade unionism, the PCV will participate in initiatives of unity of anti-imperialist action.

The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV), as the party of the working class and the Venezuelan working people, clarifies its position regarding Venezuela's launch of a supposed Platform of the Anti-imperialist Working Class (PCOA), which lacks the presence of class conscious trade union organizations from our country or representatives of national historical labor currents.

Solidarity with the workers and staff in U.S. airlines — No to layoffs, pay cuts and anti-labor measures!

Employment will drop by 90,000 full-time employees by December, according to Airlines for America trade group, which represents major U.S. airlines.

The 90,000 job losses will bring U.S. airlines employment to its lowest level since the mid-1980s by year's end as a result of more than 30,000 furloughs at airlines such as United and American and thousands of other workers from Southwest, Delta Airlines and other carriers accepting buyouts, CNBC reported.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics data that the trade group compiled show the drop from pre-COVID peak in March of 460,000 full-time jobs to 370,000 full-time jobs by year's end.

WFTU 75th anniversary was honored in Athens

With a meeting of trade unionists and workers of the industry unions of Athens on October 2nd, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) honored the 75th founding anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). 

The meeting was attended by George Mavrikos, General Secretary of the WFTU, who delivered a speech. 

Giota Tavoulari, President of the National Federation of Workers in Pharmaceutical Industries and Babis Vortelinos, TUI Public Services Vice President, delivered speeches on behalf of Greek Trade Unions.

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): 75 years of action, with honor and dignity

On October 3rd, the World Federation of Trade Unions celebrates 75 years since its foundation. The largest international workers’ assembly until then took the decision that was indelibly engraved in the memory of the world labor movement, October 3rd, 1945: THE WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS IS FOUNDED at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris.

75 years later, the WFTU continues on the same uncompromising path, with unity, class-oriented, with internationalism. 75 years with honor and dignity!