From the WORKER SOLIDARITY files

International Trade Union Confederation

The (ITUC) is the world's largest trade union federation. It was formed on 1 November 2006 out of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL). The Founding Congress of the ITUC was held in Vienna and was preceded by the dissolution congresses of both the ICFTU and the WCL.

The ITUC comprises the affiliated organisations of the former ICFTU and WCL together with eight other national trade union organisations that will for, the first time, affiliate to a global body. These groups are expected to include the Confédération générale du travail in France and the Argentine Workers' Center. The World Federation of Trade Unions, previously the world's third largest global union federation, will remain independent.

The ITUC represents 166 million workers through its 309 affiliated organisations within 156 countries and territories.


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