Our latest news

News November 27, 2024

ETF Attends Court Hearing on Union Busting Case in Air Serbia

Since last year, Air Serbia management has been carrying out flagrant union busting activities, notably by targeting the leading members of JSSSV. After numerous calls for international action and a petition in 2023, the ETF persists in its solidarity with the workers of the Central Union of Aeronautical Stewardesses and Stewards (JSSSV) of Serbia.

Statement November 26, 2024

ETF Calls Out Flawed and Biased European Commission Rail Pricing Study

The ETF finds that this report falls short of offering a balanced or reliable assessment of the impact of rail liberalisation on service quality, workforce conditions, or public welfare. The study’s bias towards liberalisation, selective use of case studies, limited consideration of worker impact, and superficial treatment of service quality contribute to an incomplete and misleading picture of the sector. As a result, this study is considered unfit to serve as a basis for further decision and policy making.

Statement November 25, 2024

Ending Violence Against Women: A Workplace Priority

Violence against women remains one of the most pervasive and devastating human rights issues globally. This reality is starkly visible in the transport sector, where workers – especially women – face high levels of violence from third parties. As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, we must confront this harsh truth: violence is not just a societal issue; it is a workplace issue too.

News November 22, 2024

For fair and sustainable employment in aviation: participate in the Ghent Study v2.0

In collaboration with social partners ECA and ENAA, the ETF has actively contributed to updating the Ghent Study survey, adapting it to the increasing complexity of aircrew employment, the liberalisation of the European aviation market and the emergence of new business models, such as wet-leasing. The resulting survey is now equipped to better capture complex working-hour schemes, intricate contractual ties and mental health struggles of aircrew workers.

News November 21, 2024

Petition: Don’t lower the minimum age for truck driving in Europe!

Truck driving in Europe is a very demanding profession that requires a lot of skill, concentration and responsibility. The EU should make the job more rewarding, less stressful and risky and attract more experienced drivers rather than trying to find teenagers willing to do the job for low pay and long hours. Sign the petition now!

News November 19, 2024

World Toilet Day 2024: What if you didn’t have one at your workplace?

We often assume that access to clean and safe sanitation for everyone is a demand of the past in Europe. However, this fundamental human right in Europe’s transport sector is still often neglected. With the lack of sanitation or its poor quality, the transport industry is driving workers away from the industry, especially women.

Press Release November 15, 2024

EU Social Partners unveil new tools to strengthen the social dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy

Yesterday, the EU Social Partners in the fisheries sector, represented by Europêche and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), presented at the European Parliament the results of a major initiative aimed at creating a safer, healthier, and more worker-friendly fisheries sector across Europe. The dissemination conference, hosted by MEPs Nicolás González Casares (Socialists and Democrats) and Paulo do Nascimento Cabral (European People’s Party), provided an opportunity to showcase innovative tools developed under the EU project Pillars of the Sea 3: Roadmap towards socially sustainable fishing.

Press Release November 13, 2024

Non-EU Fishers Working on EU Vessels: ETF Conference Calls for Fair Pay and Rights

The ETF held an important conference today, spotlighting the working conditions and fair pay challenges faced by non-EU fishers employed on EU vessels. The event gathered a diverse group of policymakers from the EU Commission, Parliament and the ILO, experts, and industry stakeholders to address wage discrepancies and non-EU workers conditions in the sector. 

In Focus

Statement

ETF Statement on Commissioner-designate Tzitzikostas’s Hearing

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), representing millions of workers across Europe’s transport sector, listened closely to yesterday’s confirmation hearing of Commissioner-designate Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The transport sector is facing a multitude of problems and ETF is determined to build a dialogue with Mr. Tzitzikostas to address the sector’s greatest challenges. Transport workers, who keep Europe moving, deserve a sector that values their contributions and meets their needs. We will watch closely for the next steps and expect a commitment to the practical changes that will benefit all Europeans.

Publication

EU Land Transport Labour Market: A Critical Examination of Trends and Policy Implications

Two years ago, the ETF launched a project to look in more detail at the roots of the above trends. Three reports – on road, rail and urban public transport were developed within the frame of the project to cast light on how liberalisation and market-opening policies led to undesirable effects that put at stake the very goals and objectives set by the same policymakers.

Press Release

ETF Launches Manifesto: A New Deal for Fair Transport

ETF announced the launch of the manifesto “A New Deal for Fair Transport,” today, ahead of the 2024 European Elections. This comprehensive manifesto outlines a series of critical demands aimed at reshaping the transport sector in Europe to ensure fairness, safety, and respect for all transport workers.

News

Executive Committee of ETF met in Brussels on June 4/5

On June 4th and 5th, 2024, Brussels hosted the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) Executive Committee meeting. Trade unionists from across Europe gathered to discuss and shape the future of European transport, focusing on workers’ interests. ETF President Frank Moreels opened the meeting by underlining the need to stop the far-right, who have always worked against the interests of workers.