25 May, 2009Affiliates united in their support for the new IMF leadership elected by Congress.
GLOBAL: IMF affiliates were united in their support for the new leadership team elected by Congress yesterday with a mandate until 2013. Following adoption of amendments to the IMF Rules, the Congress held elections for five leadership positions ensuring greater representation of the various regions of the IMF.
Berthold Huber, IG Metall President, was elected IMF President. Huber has been a member of IG Metall since 1971 and served as IG Metall Vice President since 2003 and President since 2007.
Thomas R. Buffenbarger, International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, was elected by Congress delegates as IMF Vice President. Buffenbarger leads over 700,000 active and retired IAM members in Canada and the US.
Jyrki Raina, Nordic IN General Secretary, was elected IMF General Secretary. Recognising the unanimous support for his election, Raina said, "Our unity is the base of our force. It is with pride and a great sense of humility that I accept this election." Raina began his trade union work in Finland and for the last six years has co-ordinated the Nordic unions' activities in Europe and at the global level.
Hiroshi Kamada and Fernando Lopes were elected by the Congress as IMF Assistant General Secretaries.
The Congress also elected the members of the Executive Committee and Auditing Committee.