The democratic global union federation of transport workers' trade unions known as the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) was established in 1896. The ITF had 677 member organizations in 149 countries in 2017—representing 19.7 million transport workers across all industrial transportation sectors —and had 677 members: dockworkers, inland navigation, seafarers, road transport, railways, fisheries, urban transportation, and tourism are all examples of these industries. When it comes to bodies that make decisions that have an impact on the transportation industry's jobs, working conditions, or safety, the ITF represents the unions of transport workers.
By encouraging and organizing international solidarity among its network of affiliates, the ITF strives to improve the lives of transport workers worldwide.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is a partner of the ITF. Membership in the organization is open to members of any independent trade union that has members working in the transportation sector.

In organizations like the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the ITF represents the interests of unions representing transport workers. When member unions in one country are in conflict with employers or the government, the organization also informs and advises unions about developments in the transportation industry in other nations or regions of the world and organizes international solidarity actions.

The ITF has offices in Abidjan, Amman, Brussels, Singapore, Montreal, Hong Kong, Nairobi, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, and Tokyo in addition to its headquarters in London.

The constitution of the International Transport Workers' Federation governs the organization. ITF is run by an elected executive board that meets twice a year, according to the Constitution.