Press Release February 5, 2025 Transforming Rail Freight: A Joint Call for Sustainable and Efficient Transport Within the framework of the Social Sectoral Dialogue on Railways, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) have issued a joint statement emphasizing the pivotal role of rail freight in Europe’s transition to a sustainable and efficient transport system. That statement effectively highlights the importance of focusing on key areas to ensure the future success and competitiveness of rail freight in the EU. It also emphasizes the need for decision-makers to enhance the overall competitiveness framework by implementing specific measures.
Press Release February 5, 2025 Open Letter: A competitive and resilient Europe requires a stronger EU transport budget Europe’s transport sector is the backbone of the EU internal market and outreach to the world. A strong sector is a prerequisite for building a competitive, net-zero and resilient Europe. Open letter to the Ministers of the General Affairs Council and the Ministers of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council
News February 4, 2025 New EU Maritime Strategy: We Need Enhanced Seafarer Protections and Sustainable Shipping The ETF has welcomed the EESC’s opinion, noting its alignment with the federation’s long-standing advocacy for fair treatment and improved working conditions for seafarers. The inclusion of these key elements in the opinion reflects the collaborative efforts of trade unions and workers’ representatives in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for the maritime industry.
Statement February 3, 2025 Germany: Solidarity with EVG in Their Fight for Fair Wages, Respect, and a Strong Future for Rail The ETF has also raised concerns over plans to dismantle Europe’s largest rail freight operator, warning that such measures would have devastating consequences for railway workers, the climate, and Europe’s industries. Rail is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal, and any move to weaken the sector would undermine efforts to achieve sustainable mobility and reduce carbon emissions.
Statement January 29, 2025 Eager to discuss but not ready to endorse: ETF reacts to the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass On 29 January 2025, the European Commission adopted its long-anticipated Competitiveness Compass. The communication “establishes competitiveness as one of the EU’s overarching principles for action” and outlines a roadmap featuring initiatives across several areas. Regrettably, the whole strategy is based on the assumption that the EU social model needs to be preserved. We rather believe it needs to be rebuilt.
News January 24, 2025 The European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) and European Shipowners launch European Maritime Skills Forum This initiative aims to identify skills gap emerging from the digital and green transition and discuss the shortage of maritime professionals and limited mobility between land and on-board positions.
Statement January 22, 2025 The Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages is At Risk and We Need to Defend it. On 14 January, the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Nicholas Emiliou, issued a non-binding opinion regarding Case C-19/23 of the CJEU, which could open the door to the complete annulment of the Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, following a complaint from two member states.
Press Release January 15, 2025 Europeche and ETF urge new policy direction to secure “Fishers of the Future” “Fishers of the Future” conference: Presentation of a study that examines the future role of fishers in society up to 2050. A call for urgent, coordinated action from policymakers to secure the fleet’s future, to support a thriving and resilient fishing industry able to offer quality and safe jobs.
News January 10, 2025 ETF Youth Winter School: The Rise of a New Union Generation A new generation of union leaders is rising in Europe’s transport sector. Last December in Sofia, they came together to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges – from platform work to far-right extremism, proving that young unionists are “not only the future but the present” of our movement for transport workers’ rights.
Statement December 17, 2024 Joint European Trade Union Statement for EU Regulation to Deliver for All Deregulation for companies and attacks on EU law protecting workers and trade union rights are not the answer to stop human and environmental rights violations by companies. The EU Due Diligence rules should “work for all”, workers and their family, business and the environment.
News December 12, 2024 Aviation: We are Not Going Back! ETF has been pushing for crisis preparedness amongst unions in the aviation sector through the ‘No Going Back’ Project, an EU-funded initiative. Extensive research has been done under this project, leading to the creation of practical tools that will soon be provided to all ETF affiliates and the general public.
News December 9, 2024 Letter to Fisheries Commissioner: New Cuts on Mediterranean Fishing are Unsustainable The European Commission’s proposal to further reduce fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean has sparked alarm among fisheries stakeholders, namely the ETF. The latest proposed cuts would limit certain fleet segments to a maximum of just 27 fishing days per year. This follows years of significant sacrifices from Mediterranean fisheries, which have already faced a decline in the number of companies, vessels, and jobs.