Today the European Parliament adopted in plenary the political pillar of the 4th Railway Package. ETF considers this as an invitation towards introducing more social dumping in European railway services .
“ETF disapproves the final vote of the European Parliament. It’s not only condemning the future of rail transport public services, but also a step further towards the dissolution of the European social model,” Sabine Trier, ETF Deputy General Secretary reacted after the vote.
ETF will continue to ensure better protection of railway workers and high quality public services for railway passengers. “We are determined to maintain the pressure on decision makers high and we will keep mobilising our affiliates to fight social dumping practices and promote social Europe,” Guy Grievelding, President of the ETF Railway Section commented. The small majority in plenary with only a difference of 24 votes, with 23 additional abstentions clearly shows how divisive this Regulation is and how controversial the liberalisation of domestic passenger rail services is in view of the need to promote the development of the most sustainable transport mode in Europe.
This amended Regulation does not improve the quality of public services in railway transport and the protection of staff in competitive tendering is a crucial condition for that. ETF calls for basing fair competition on quality criteria instead of lowering working conditions, job insecurity and job losses.
For further information, please contact Sabine Trier (Tel: +32 (0)2 285 46 67; M: +32 477 512 814,
s.trier@etf-europe.org). you can follow ETF Railway Section work via @ETF_Railways & #FairTransport