The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has launched an internal investigation following allegations of entrenched sexism and workplace harassment within its leadership ranks. A damning article from Novara Media about the ITF’s’s general secretary, Stephen Cotton, published last week, has forced the union’s board to act.
The move comes after multiple complaints were raised by current and former staff members describing what they claimed was a “sexist boys’ club” culture at the London-headquartered union, which represents more than 700 transport unions and 16.5m workers worldwide.
In a brief statement issued late Monday, the ITF confirmed that it had appointed an external investigator to look into the allegations and review internal culture and governance practices.
The recognised union for staff at the ITF responded to news of the investigation, stating: “At the very minimum, ITF leadership must be held to account, previously suppressed investigations must be shared, and the restructuring process must be paused until concerns regarding the qualification and suitability of those leading the process, and the magnification of inequalities can be sufficiently addressed.”
In June, the ITF announced a cost-saving restructure which involves getting rid of 25% of its staff from its London headquarters, something that then resulted in a strike among its workforce last month.
