Dear colleagues and comrades,
First and foremost, we want to state unequivocally: We support and believe women.
Every worker deserves to be safe, respected, and free from harassment, intimidation, and discrimination in the workplace. These are fundamental principles of the labour movement, and we will not waver from them. Misogyny is totally unacceptable, as is any effort to normalise its pervasive influence in our movement.
We are, and have been, deeply troubled by the systemic concerns regarding sexism and other forms of inequality that ITF staff have raised in the past, alongside other known issues not covered in the recent disturbing article published by Novara Media. It is clear that ITF’s current processes have not been sufficient to create a safe environment for all, but rather appear to have been used to delay and distract from the genuine cultural change staff have called for and leadership have committed to delivering.
For years, our union has consistently sounded the alarm about deep-seated issues of sexism and racism within the ITF’s structures. We have pushed for fixes, made formal recommendations, and urgent calls to action. When doors were closed on us, we even produced our own report to force these critical issues into the light. We were not listened to. The current situation of severe reputational damage that the ITF finds itself in is a direct consequence of a failure to act.
We know that news like this is painful, angering, and can be retraumatizing. It challenges the trust we place in our leaders, our organisation, and in our movement as a whole. We stand in solidarity with those who have come forward. It is a painful confirmation of what many of you have known and experienced, often suffering in silence.
We are here to listen. If you are affected by this news, have concerns, or you wish to share, please reach out. We will ensure your voice is heard and your confidentiality is respected.
We have a duty at this moment to demand decisive action and transformative change because the status quo is not acceptable. In order to succeed the ITF must be a beacon of social justice, not a workplace that is permissive of the kinds of favouritism and discrimination we speak out against in our daily work.
Our workplace is more than its leaders; it is a collective staff body supported by a global network of trade union affiliates. Together, we must and will hold ourselves to the highest standards of solidarity, equality, and justice. We must do better.
Forever in justice and solidarity,
Your Unite Reps & Committee
Update: Following the disturbing information in the Novara Media report published on the evening of 15 October, our Unite union branch called two emergency meetings on 16 October: one for women staff only, followed by one for all members. The below motion was presented, discussed and adopted by 82% of Unite bargaining unit members in attendance at the larger meeting.
Emergency Motion
We as ITF staff call on the ITF Executive Board to take decisive action after the unsettling news report on a pervasive culture of misogyny at the ITF published by Novara Media.
This disturbing report follows years of unsuccessful efforts by staff to get ITF senior management to address serious concerns regarding sexism and inequality in our workplace.
The status quo is not acceptable. It is clear that ITF’s current processes have not been sufficient to create a safe environment for all, but rather appear to have been used to delay and distract from the genuine cultural change staff have called for and leadership have committed to delivering.
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.
There is also a need to safeguard staff given the serious allegations and the threat of reprisals. We ask the Executive Board to take appropriate steps to protect staff pending an investigation.
Leave a Reply