The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) joins workers around the world to celebrate May Day – a day of solidarity, struggle, and commitment to building a better world for all.
As the challenges facing workers intensify – from the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and attacks on trade union rights to the climate emergency and the erosion of public services – the need for a powerful, united working-class movement has never been greater.
“May Day is Workers’ Day,” said ITF President Paddy Crumlin. “The colour is red. Red for passion. Red for determination. Red for the blood that has been spilled over generations in building decent conditions on the job."
It’s a time for remembering those who gouged decent conditions out of the granite of opposition, sometimes imprisoned, sometimes murdered, but who never gave up. And it’s a time for recommitting ourselves to the class struggle that is far from over.”
“We are unionists – and particularly as ITF unionists – we are going to continue to commit with all of our resources to building a transport industry, and indeed a world, that is a safe sanctuary of justice, equality and peace for all working people and their communities, regardless of gender, race, age, or religious and cultural belief — now and for generations to come,” said Crumlin.
Around the world, trade unions are taking to the streets and taking their demands to governments – demanding decent work, secure jobs, fair wages, and bold climate action. At the same time, they are fighting back against the rising tide of authoritarianism, corporate greed, and far-right division.
Today’s converging crises make that fight more urgent than ever. As billionaires hoard wealth and democracy comes under threat, young transport workers are on the frontlines, fighting for a world that is fair, democratic, and just.
"The world is at a crossroads," said the ITF Young Transport Workers' Committee in a powerful May Day message. "Technology, such as AI and automation, should improve our lives, but it is being used to monitor and replace workers. While the world falls apart, we fight among ourselves. While the far-right organises, we hesitate. Not any longer."
Their call is clear: "Stand up. Organise. Fight back. Because if we don't, who will?"
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton called on all transport workers to meet this moment with courage and unity.
“This May Day, we send a clear message to the world’s powerful: we are organised, we are united, and we are determined to build a brighter tomorrow. Across borders, across
industries, we stand together – transport workers moving the world forward, fighting for democracy, climate justice, safe work, and dignity for all.”
The ITUC has set out a clear vision for that future – one grounded in peace, democracy, workers’ rights, universal social protection, and a just transition. The ITF stands shoulder to shoulder with that call to action. But we also know it will take more than words. It will take organising. It will take action.
At our 46th Congress in October, we laid out a bold and transformative vision for the future of transport – and of the world – grounded in the reality of the crises we face.
We committed to six urgent demands:
Rights for workers
Equality for all
Safety on the job
A just, worker-led transition to the future of work
Accountability in global supply chains
Sustainable transport for all
This May Day, we recommit to that vision and to the global movement rising to deliver it. Together, with our affiliates around the world, we are not just resisting, we are building, we are fighting, and we will move the world forward.
