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ITF congress begins (8/2)

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) issued the following news release concerning its meeting in Durban. The SIU is participating in the ITF congress. 1 August 2006. For immediate release ITF congress begins tomorrow The ITF's 41st world congress begins tomorrow in South Africa and will set the agenda for the global organisation for the next four years. Running from 2 to 9 August at the International Convention Centre, Durban, this will be the ITF's biggest ever congress, and the first to be held in Africa. So far 1,194 participants from 387 unions in 111 countries have registered to attend. A press conference will be held tomorrow (all press are invited to attend) at 13:00 in Room MR12 of the International Convention Centre (ICC), 45 Ordnance Road, Durban. Speakers will include ITF General Secretary David Cockroft; Satawu President Ezrom Mabyana; and Satawu General Secretary Randall Howard. Congress determines the ITF's direction for the next four years, and this year's theme is Organising Globally: Fighting for our Rights. It also elects the ITF's President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary and Executive Board. ITF General Secretary David Cockroft commented: "Congress provides a direction for the efforts of countless transport worker activists working in a globalised economy that can’t exist without the transport links they provide. This gives us massive potential for change that can only be achieved when transport unions worldwide link together. This is what we mean by 'Organising Globally.' "Congress is a huge undertaking, but one we embrace willingly as an opportunity to bring together trade unionists from around the world in a parliament for progress." Journalists are welcome to attend the ITF congress. The opening ceremony and plenary sessions are all open to press. Only the internal Section meetings are private. There is a dedicated web press area at www.itfglobal.org/congress/pressarea.cfm where you can find free downloadable photos, press releases, the history of the congress, speaker biographies and more. A general guide to the ITF's 41st Congress, how it works and what will be discussed can be found at www.itfglobal.org/congress/index.cfm where daily updates and interviews will appear. ###