Archives: Posts

European minimum wage initiative – Consultation is underway!

On 14 January, the European Commission launched First phase consultation of Social Partners on a possible action addressing the challenges related to fair minimum wages. While the ETF strongly believes that workers of Europe need a pay rise, we don’t support simplistic approaches and half-baked solutions that could endanger the autonomy of social partners around the continent. A simple prescriptive mechanism cannot solve wage stagnation – instead, we need to address the core causes of it, such as precarious work, anti-union measures, digitalisation, and austerity.

Statement
15 Jan 2020

Dockers explain: Why is the Dockers’ Clause important?

On 1 January 2020, the Dockers’ Clause came into effect, confirming that lashing is dockers’ work.

To better understand the importance of this new clause and its consequences, we spoke to dockers around Europe. We asked them about their work, the current situation in their countries and what the new arrangement means for them.

Worker's Story
13 Jan 2020

Dockers’ Clause: A deal is a deal – and we are defending it!

On 8 January, dockers, shop stewards, trade unions and legal advisors from ten different countries gathered in Rotterdam and pledged to take action to ensure that the new Dockers’ Clause is correctly implemented. The attendees of the gathering formed an international team of legal advisors to prepare for action against shipping companies that do not comply with the Dockers’ Clause.

Press Release
9 Jan 2020

EASA Capacity Building project – final conference

On 19 and 20 November 2019, an ETF civil aviation conference brought more than 100 participants from all over Europe to Dublin. Among them were numerous workers’ representatives, as well as representatives of the European Commission and EASA – European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Event
7 Jan 2020

ETF response to the French decree on changing the working time of coach drivers

On 17 December a decree has been signed by the French prime minister Édouard Philippe, temporarily changing the rules on the maximum allowed driving time of coach drivers. This move by the government comes amid the transport workers’ strike in France. The ETF believes that the temporary decree is aimed at undermining the workers’ actions. Additionally, the decree puts the safety of passengers in danger, since longer driving times increase the risk of accidents.

Statement
19 Dec 2019

ETF stands in solidarity with Belgian railway workers

On behalf of the European Transport Workers’ Federation, representing more than 5 million transport workers, we want to express our solidarity with the railway employees of Belgium and their legitimate and justified strike.

News
19 Dec 2019