Our General Secretary visited Budapest to hear in person about the problems facing transport workers in the country. Our affiliates also discussed the next steps for the Fair Transport Europe campaign and our training programme for union activists in Central and Eastern Europe.

Solidarity between the ETF and our affiliates is the root of our power. All our Polish affiliates have pledged to stand together in the struggle for Fair Transport, while the ETF plans a capacity building project in the country.

Trade union representatives from Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, and Belgium met for a workshop on 23-24 January 2019 in Vienna. During the event, Evelyn Regner’s sponsorship of the ETF Fair Transport Europe campaign was announced.

FNV Havens calls on port employers and authorities in Rotterdam to protect safety and pensions. Automation and lashing are two key concerns.

In the first of a series of meetings with European political groups, ETF spoke with leaders of GUE/NGL. EU elections are fast approaching, and they were interested to hear our proposals to end social dumping and exploitation in the transport sector.

On 17-18 December, ETF Dockers held an Automation and Lashing Seminar in London. We made plans for reclaiming lashing in UK ports, learned more about port automation and how to build the balance of power to negotiate fair automation agreements.