Second wildcat strike in Grafenhausen shines new light on continued human rights abuses in European road transport Over 130 truck drivers, who come from countries including Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Tajikistan, are gathered at the rest area in Grafenhausen, Germany to demand pay owed them by the Polish trucking consortium Mazur Group or Agmaz-Lukmas-Imperia. It is the second wildcat strike by truck drivers in Germany and has brought renewed attention to the urgent need for intervention by government and industry stakeholders to protect the rights of third-country nationals. Press Release 27 Jul 2023
ETF demands immediate action to end exploitation of third-country drivers in Europe ETF welcomes the messages conveyed by MEPs, the Council and the Commission during the plenary session of the European Parliament today on the topic Safeguarding labour mobility and social rights of striking lorry drivers from third countries. Statement 18 Apr 2023
Solidarity statement for cross-border drivers striking at Gräfenhausen in Germany Transport workers across Europe and around the world have been inspired by the courage and willingness to fight of the Georgian and Uzbekistani truck drivers who have been striking for the past two weeks against inhumane conditions and the failure of Polish transport consortium Lukmaz, Agmaz and Imperia to pay their wages. Statement 12 Apr 2023
Solidarity with workers across Germany taking strike action for fair pay ETF expresses solidarity with ver.di and EVG, as well as all workers across Germany taking strike action for fair wages. Statement 27 Mar 2023
“They’re pushing colleagues out in times of a global pandemic of which FedEx Group is one of the winners in terms of business” – TNT Worker in Germany speaks out FedEx-TNT has announced plans to fire more than 6000 workers in Europe, despite record profits in 2020. Workers have had enough and are speaking out: today, we share a story by a TNT worker in Germany. Worker's Story 25 Feb 2021
TUI fly Germany proceeds with plans to dismiss workers after receiving state aid TUI fly Germany is implementing its restructuring plans that will leave many workers in Germany jobless, despite receiving state aid. The ETF is joining Ver.di in their call for social conditionality in state aid – companies should not be allowed to use crises to restructure, dismiss workers and worsen their working conditions. Statement 9 Nov 2020
Solidarity with public transport workers striking in Germany Public transport workers all over Germany have gone on strike to fight for fair working conditions. ETF stands in solidarity! ver.di has been calling for a national framework collective bargaining agreement since March, but VKA has spoken out against negotiations despite ver.di’s justified demands. News 29 Sep 2020
Enough is enough! – ver.di calls for strike action as German municipal employers block collective bargaining! Strikes are taking place in Germany, as ETF’s German affiliate ver.di prepares actions, and calls on urban public transport workers to strike! Union Action 22 Sep 2020
COVID-19: Seafarers’ unions secure workers’ repatriation Border closures and travel restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19 have created miserable conditions onboard ships. Three of the ETF affiliate unions report on their actions in securing the easier movement of seafarers. Union Action 27 Apr 2020