In Summary

Young workers often bear the brunt of changes in the world of work and sometimes face specific workplace challenges: non-standard contracts or fake self-employment, insufficient social protection, low wages, automation and new technologies, etc.  At the same time, the unionisation level among young workers is very low level. Trade unions are determined to organise a new generation of transport workers, giving them a voice to fight for their rights. That was also the reason behind the establishment of the ETF Youth Committee in 2013. 

Since its beginning the ETF Youth Committee has formulated the ETF’s youth policies and worked on all issues of importance to young transport workers. The ETF Youth Committee works to improve the situation of young transport workers in the labour market, and to better integrate young activists into trade union structures and activities. With a seat at the table in all ETF decision making bodies, the youth representatives play a key role in bringing youth perspectives to all ETF policies. 

To reach its goal and improve the situation of young transport workers, the ETF Youth Committee undertakes various activities: 

• We monitor developments in the European labour market with regard to youth employment and young transport workers’ social conditions. 
• We put forward proposals and resolutions to the ETF Management Committee, Executive Committee, Sections and the Congress. 
• We formulate recommendations for the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees where the ETF is a recognised social partner. 
• We represent the ETF Youth Committee in international organisations, and we establish and participate in transnational networks to deliver the Committee’s views and develop common strategies with partners. 
• We apply for and implement EU co-funded projects on issues relevant to young transport workers, building our members’ capacity for action.