John Vanderveken

The ITUC mourns the passing of former General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) John Vanderveken, who has died at the age of 94.

Johnny, as he was fondly known among colleagues and comrades, began working at the ICFTU in 1951. He then studied at Ghent University from 1956 to 1960 before returning to the ICFTU to work in the Economic and Social Policy department and in the organisation’s Geneva office.

In 1974, he was elected as Assistant General Secretary, appointed Acting General Secretary in 1982 and elected as General Secretary in 1983. He retired from the ICFTU in 1992.

“Johnny will be remembered as a highly committed and talented international trade union leader, and as a mentor to many, who led the ICFTU with great distinction. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and those close to him,” said Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary.