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15 June, 2009
The International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) held a changing-of-the-guard Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 24 – 27 May.
The Congress unanimously elected Jyrki Raina as the new General Secretary of the Global Union Federation. Raina replaces Marcello Malentacchi, who retired after 20 years as General Secretary.
The IMF Congress adopted a new Action Programme for the period 2009-2013. The policy agenda spells out the main themes of the programme, and Raina emphasized them … building “strong national trade unions, organize the unorganized, invest in union-building, education and training, strengthen collective bargaining, defend trade union rights, improve women’s representation, and bring about sustainable development and decent work.”
Raina has served as General Secretary of Nordic-In since 2006. He is a native of Finland, and worked for the Finnish Chemical Workers’ Union, Kemianliitto, the ICEF and ICEM, before leading Nordic-In.
Raina also emphasized the importance of increasing international cooperation of the labour movement worldwide, so as to more effectively campaign on issues such as the financial and economic crisis, climate change, and sustainable jobs.
Another significant action taken at IMF’s Congress was the Executive Committee’s endorsement of the Declaration of Intent, signed in March by other Global Union Federations. This document signifies a further step to an eventual unified global union structure for industry and manufacturing.
The IMF Congress also conducted elections for other positions. Berthold Huber, Germany’s IG Metall President, was elected IMF President; Thomas R. Buffenbarger, President of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) was elected IMF Vice President; and Hiroshi Kamada of Japan and Fernando Lopes of Brazil were elected as IMF Assistant General Secretaries.