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.
News December 9, 2024 ETF Joins Debate on Transport Poverty and Gender Equality at the European Parliament Addressing transport poverty requires that transport services be available, accessible, affordable, and safe for all. This includes women, seniors, young people, people with disabilities, and those with low incomes – whether they live in rural, remote, or urban areas. By prioritising these principles, policymakers can ensure equitable access to transport, enabling greater social and economic inclusion across Europe.
News December 1, 2024 World AIDS Day 2024: Unite to End Stigma, Inequalities, and Discrimination Despite significant advances in treatment and prevention, stigma and discrimination continue to impact the lives of those living with HIV. Lack of knowledge about the condition and how to protect oneself and others perpetuates misunderstanding and fear. This ignorance not only isolates individuals but also exacerbates poverty, hardship, and inequality—realities that many people living with HIV face daily.
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.