who is Luca Visentini, the new Ituc- Corriere.it secretary

For the first time, an Italian will lead the Ituc, the international trade union confederation. Luca Visentini won the 5th Congress of Melbourne in Australia with 72% of the votes against the Turkish Kemal Ozkanha. Visentin, born in 1969 and originally from Udine, after graduating in philosophy took his first steps in Uil Giovani, which he joined in 1989, to then be elected secretary of Uiltucs which represents workers in tourism, services and commerce. In his career, his commitment to lead the European Trade Union Confederation (CES), which represents 45 million workers through 90 confederations throughout Europe, was decisive. On Monday 21 November Visentini will be proclaimed general secretary of the World Union.

In the manifesto for his candidacy he wrote: I’m Italian, I’m 53 years old. I have dedicated my whole life to social justice, the fight for democracy and equity and I strongly believe that trade unions, whether local or international, are essential to develop and uphold these values. On intentions if elected in a recent interview with the Adapt study centre, Visentini spoke of union cohesion. The most important message – he explained – that I have tried to send with my Manifesto and with my candidacy for the general secretariat of the International Trade Union Confederation is that, in the face of the dramatic challenges that the international trade union movement faces, a strong unity is necessary.

The first congratulations for the victory came from the Uil leader, PierPaolo Bombardieri: a great result for our country which is also the result of the united commitment of the CGIL, CISL and UIL. a great acknowledgment of Luca’s work and professionalism. a great satisfaction for Uil which, for the first time, has its own manager at the helm of the international trade union movement. Cisl general secretary Luigi Sbarra writes on twitter: Best wishes to my friend Luca Visentini for a good job. A good and competent trade unionist at the helm of the world trade union. And he adds: A great affirmation and an important recognition for the responsible and representative role of the Italian trade union movement, for its principles and values.