Opportunity to Tender December 11, 2025 CALL FOR EXTERNAL EXPERTISE : WTMS – Working Together Much Safer EU-Funded Project
Press Release December 10, 2025 ETF Conference maps common strategies for public transport’s Just Transition The ETF convened a major two-day networking event in Brussels (9-10 December) that successfully brought together a wide array of stakeholders in the public transport sector. This event allowed us to map convergences and common goals, opening the way for future alliances to improve public transport in Europe. Participants included representatives from public transport unions, green campaigners, passenger groups, disabled rights activists, employers, and policymakers, including MEP Lena Schilling, coming from all over Europe.
News December 10, 2025 ETF and Europêche raise concerns over Commission’s delay of sustainability reporting rules for non-EU fishing operators ETF and Europêche sent a joint letter to Commissioner Michael McGrath expressing concern over the European Commission’s decision to postpone the delegated act on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The decision would delay reporting obligations for non-EU companies for at least two years, and potentially remove the legal basis for such obligations altogether.
News December 9, 2025 EU Social Partners for fisheries warn: New Mediterranean fishing proposal threatens thousands of jobs and entire coastal communities The European Social Partners in Fisheries express their deep concern and strong opposition to the European Commission’s proposal for Mediterranean fishing opportunities for 2026. The measures, representing some of the most severe cuts ever imposed, risk dismantling an entire sector already pushed to its limits, putting at stake thousands of jobs, family livelihoods and the socio-economic fabric of coastal communities across the region.
News December 8, 2025 Road Transport: Drivers’ right to decent rest still widely ignored across Europe Recent enforcement actions in Sweden and France have exposed the continuing failure of many hauliers to respect EU rules on drivers’ rest periods. Operators have been hit with heavy fines for forcing drivers to spend their mandatory weekly rest in truck cabins – a practice strictly banned under the 2020 Mobility Package to protect drivers’ health and quality of life, as well as improve safety on European roads.
Press Release December 5, 2025 ETF Welcomes Quality Jobs Roadmap, Demands Ambitious EU Legislation and Stronger Enforcement The European Transport Workers’ Federation welcomes the publication of the European Commission’s Quality Jobs Roadmap and the initiation of the first-phase social partner consultation, which signals a positive intent to improve the quality of jobs across Europe. The ETF reminds that ensuring quality jobs is fundamental to workers’ well-being and their right to work with dignity, as well as boosting competitiveness.
News December 3, 2025 Employment Committee vote to curb abusive subcontracting and unregulated labour intermediaries sends a clear signal to the European Commission Today, union federations EFBWW, EFFAT, and ETF, along with workers and MEPs, gathered outside the European Parliament to show their support ahead of the EMPL Committee vote on the report addressing abusive subcontracting and unregulated labour intermediation. The mobilisation highlighted the urgency of EU action.
News December 2, 2025 ITF urges Dutch Court to uphold collective bargaining principles across Europe The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), together with Nautilus NL and FNV, has submitted a formal request to the Court of Appeal in the Netherlands to reconsider and correct key preliminary considerations in its recent interim ruling concerning the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC).
News December 2, 2025 Interview: Gerhard Tauchner elected new Chair of ETF Railways section The ETF Railways Section just elected its new Chair, Gerhard Tauchner, to replace Giorgio Tuti, who has been elected as ETF President. In a powerful moment, trade union members thanked the previous Chair for his important work and elected new leadership to defend the future of railway workers at the European level. We decided to interview the new Chair to understand his priorities for the following years.
News November 28, 2025 4th Seminar on Inland Waterway Transport in the Danube Region On 17–18 November 2024, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) hosted the fourth and final seminar of the inland waterways pillar of the EU-funded project Delivering Fair Transport for All. As with the previous seminars, this session focused entirely on the Danube region. The first day featured a productive exchange with the Danube Commission on strengthening the involvement of the ETF and its affiliates in the work of this intergovernmental organisation established by the Belgrade Convention of 1948.
Statement November 27, 2025 Far-right alliance on Omnibus: A dangerous setback for EU social and environmental commitments Just four weeks after celebrating the European Parliament’s rejection of the initial mandate for negotiations on Omnibus I, we now face a serious blow. The European Parliament has adopted a position that will significantly weaken key EU sustainability legislation.
News November 27, 2025 ETF joins Belgian roadside inspection, highlighting the urgent need for better cargo securing On Monday, ETF took part in a Belgian roadside inspection dedicated to cargo securing and exceptional vehicle cargo. The latter refers to trucks transporting loads that exceed standard weight or dimensions and often involves obtaining necessary exemptions and permits. The inspection took place in Bertem, at a truck stop near the highway. A significant number of trucks on the Belgian roads still transport unsecured or poorly secured cargo, posing serious dangers to both drivers and other road users.