News April 27, 2026 For transport and its workers, the EC has learned too little, too late from the previous energy crisis An ETF quick response to the EC ‘AccelerateEU’ communication: The opening line of the EC communication reads: “For the second time in less than five years, the dangers of Europe’s dependency on fossil fuel imports are becoming abundantly clear.” The ETF couldn’t agree more. However, the AccelerateEU communication appears to be yet another example of the EC having learned too little, too late from the previous energy crisis, particularly as far as EU transport policy is concerned.
News April 23, 2026 Environmental Modulation of Air Navigation Service Charges: Ensuring Sustainability While Safeguarding the ATM System The ongoing reform of the European Union’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) performance and charging framework has become a central issue in the debate on aviation sustainability and system resilience. In , we highlighted the need for a more balanced and realistic approach to reform – one that safeguards the operational integrity, financial stability, and workforce of the ATM system while contributing meaningfully to environmental objectives. The ETF continues to caution against reforms that prioritise cost-efficiency and traffic growth at the expense of capacity, staffing, and long-term investment, as such an approach risks weakening the very system it seeks to optimise.
Press Release April 22, 2026 ETF Launches #SaveRailFreight Campaign at Brussels Conference The ETF is calling for a fundamental reorientation of EU rail policy away from a decade-long focus on liberalisation and market competition that has not delivered and towards a model grounded in public interest, industrial resilience and long-term sustainability. The ETF also insists that growth in rail freight must go hand in hand with strong commitments on workers’ rights: high health and safety standards, recognised qualifications, guaranteed access to basic facilities, and tamper-proof monitoring of driving, working and rest times for all mobile staff.
News April 22, 2026 Flying through a fragmented world Aircrew today do not simply fly across the world; they fly into it. Escalating geopolitical tensions, fragmented airspace, and rapidly shifting threat environments have fundamentally reshaped what it means to operate a flight. From the outside, geopolitical risk can appear abstract – a line on a map, an overflight restriction, a rerouting decision made by operations or security departments. For cabin crew, however, exposure is far more immediate and tangible.
News April 22, 2026 Civil society coalition calls for urgent Investment in Public Transport to tackle the oil crisis As oil prices surge in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East, creating what the International Energy Agency (IEA) describes as the largest energy shock in history, a coalition of 17 European organisations has issued a joint call on policymakers to urgently act on IEA Recommendation 3: incentivising a shift from private cars to public transport and active mobility.
Statement April 17, 2026 World Public Transport Day: Public transport workers move us all Trade unions give public transport workers a collective voice to defend and win their rights in their workplaces all around the world. Recognising and bargaining with trade unions, and involving them in decision-making from the outset, is critical to ensuring an understanding of and mutually beneficial collaboration with the public transport workforce. And by fighting for better working conditions, trade unions also play a critical role in employee retention for public transport companies
News April 13, 2026 Europe’s military mobility push must not sideline workers’ rights Europe is strengthening its defence capabilities through the EU’s Military Mobility Package, designed to enable the swift movement of troops and equipment across borders in times of crisis. While the objective of improving preparedness is legitimate, it must be pursued in full respect of fundamental rights, social standards, and democratic governance.
News April 13, 2026 Fuel crisis puts european fishers’ livelihoods at risk: ETF calls for urgent EU intervention The European fishing sector is once again plunging into a state of emergency. A rapid and dramatic surge in fuel prices, triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is threatening to paralyze the EU fishing fleet and, more importantly, the workers who keep it running. This is not just an economic hurdle for vessel owners; it is a direct threat to the wages, safety, and job security of thousands of fishers across Europe.
News April 9, 2026 No more crisis management at workers’ expense: European aviation must break the cycle The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) released a statement today, calling on airlines, governments and European institutions to end a recurring and damaging pattern in times of crisis: prioritising short-term fixes at the expense of workers, resilience, and long-term recovery of the sector.
News April 8, 2026 ETF stands with railway workers after fatal TGV accident The European Transport Workers’ Federation expresses its deep sadness following the tragic accident yesterday morning involving a TGV train and a truck carrying military equipment near Bully-les-Mines, between Lens and Béthune.
Vacancies April 8, 2026 Vacancy: traineeship for railways Job opportunity: we are looking for a trainee in Railways at the European Transport Workers’ Federation! Are you passionate about railways, EU policy and workers’ rights? Here’s a chance to gain hands-on experience in the railway sector with a leading European organisation representing over 5 million transport workers across 38 countries.
Press Release April 3, 2026 Open Letter to President Ursula von der Leyen: Europe’s transport system is unprepared, and workers are paying the price ETF calls on the EU Commission to act immediately on three non-negotiable priorities: adopting binding, cross-sector crisis and safety frameworks; guaranteeing that crises are not managed through downward pressure on jobs, wages, and working conditions; in consultation with social partners, come up with robust transport preparedness strategies that guarantee resilient EU transport systems.