IAM aviation members are gaining another critical voice on a global scale with Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser’s election as Chairperson of the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) North American Civil Aviation Sector.
Fraser was elected to the position at the ITF’s U.S. National Coordinating Committee meeting this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The ITF’s North American Civil Aviation Sector also includes several other U.S. air transport unions, including the Transport Workers’ Union, the Association of Flight Attendants, the National Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, and the Independent Pilots Association.
“I’m very proud to have Chief of Staff Fraser in this crucial position at the ITF,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen, who serves as an ITF Executive Board member. “Edison carries a wealth of knowledge of the civil aviation industry and the challenges workers face within that sector every day at home and abroad.”
Earlier this year, Fraser served as one of the U.S. ITF representatives to the International Labour Organization to address issues around a green, sustainable and inclusive economic recovery for the civil aviation sector. Government officials and civil aviation industry stakeholders from around the world were also in attendance.
“Being the chairperson of this section for North America shows that the IAM is well recognized among the other aviation unions in North America,” said Fraser. “This further places our union as a force to be reckoned with across the world.”
The IAM has a long history of developing and maintaining relationships with key international players advocating for airline workers’ interests and global justice.
The ITF represents 18.5 million transportation workers worldwide and exists to protect and improve workers’ lives and futures.