SATAWU+announcement,+Randall+Howard+acceptance+as+ITF+Pres



=SATAWU announcement, Randall Howard acceptance as ITF President=

Randall Howard, General Secretary of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) is the new president of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).

The 4.5 million member organization elected him yesterday, to take over from Umraomal Purohit of India. It is the first time an African has assumed presidency of the 110 year old federation.

Below is his acceptance speech delivered at the ICC in Durban.

---
 * Ronnie Mamba**
 * SATAWU**
 * 082 646 5353**



=Statement from Randall Howard, General Secretary of Satawu, following his election as President of the ITF=

I hope all the delegates, representing so many different countries, continents and cultures, have had a wonderful time in South Africa, especially those who have had their first experience of visiting our country.

I want to express my appreciation to Satawu, to the central executive committee, for making my nomination possible - as they know I will have to share my time now between my two roles. Satawu recognises that our international work has strategic importance for our movement. There is a recognition that the most effective way to challenge global capital is through global organising and trade union work.

I want to thank the affiliates and delegates for their support, and for placing their confidence in me as a somewhat unknown quantity. I guarantee that I will do my best.

I think the unity of the ITF is important. If we are united we can take a much more constructive role. I hope that in the next four years, our unity can be enhanced. Congress has laid the basis for that, notwithstanding the differences in views that have been expressed. The ability to discuss and disagree is one of the marks of a strong organisation.

The ITF is a very powerful and effective global union federation. The consolidation and unity process with FIOST will give transport trade unions globally an even better voice under one organisation, which can challenge employers more effectively.

I am looking forward to seeing the ITF expanding with new memberships following this process of unity, and also because of our renewed commitments to recruitment and organising, particularly of women and young workers.

There are key priorities in terms of making sure unions can operate democratically to defend workers. We have to take a strong position against those who are attacking quality employment, and basic rights – for example, in Iran, Pakistan and Australia.

I would like to acknowledge and recognise the role that has been played by our outgoing president, Umraomal Purohit. He has given great leadership, and allowed space for debate, allowing delegates to speak their minds openly. His tolerant approach has been important. We are not a homogenous organisation. We need to have the ability to debate hard questions, but still arrive at resolutions that can have real impact.

During the next four years we need to become more deliberate about advancement of women. We want to improve their involvement in trade unions and ITF structures, and their representation in leadership positions.

HIV/Aids is a disease that knows no colour, creed or religion. But it is a disease that is hitting poor communities hardest, because of lack resources, education and access to health care and even in many cases to proper food.

The resolution we have adopted builds on our previous work on HIV/Aids, and we must now intensify our efforts. In 2010, we must be able to report back to the next congress about what we have done, not on why we didn’t do it. The ITF must invest a lot more into that struggle, as effectively as we can.

605 words