The Parliament’s Vote on Revised Driving License Rules Spells Disaster for the Sector The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) is deeply troubled by the outcome of yesterday’s vote in the European Parliament regarding revised rules for driving licenses. ETF is especially concerned about the proposal to require all EU Member States to allow 17-year-old lorry drivers to drive heavy goods vehicles. The decision on minimum age requirements marks a significant setback in efforts to ensure road safety and prioritise the improvement of working conditions for drivers across Europe. Statement 29 Feb 2024
ETF Raises Concerns Over Changes to EU Driving License Rules In view of the European Parliament’s upcoming debate and vote on changes to driving license rules in the EU, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) voices its concerns regarding the proposed reduction in the minimum age for truck and bus licenses. Last December, the TRAN Committee backed the Commission’s proposal to issue truck driving licenses to 17-year-olds, under the accompanied driving license scheme. At the same time, the reduction in the recommended minimum age for truck driving to 18 across the EU poses a further threat to road safety, as it will cause more Member States to follow suit. Press Release 19 Feb 2024
The Red Sea crisis and the attacks on commercial vessels The ETF is calling once more for the safety of seafarers to be paramount. All the disruption on the supply chain, the skyrocketing of the shipping prices and the insurance coverage together with the overall impact in the economy are very serious consequences, but are only secondary commercial considerations in comparison with the risk posed for the safety of seafarers. Statement 19 Feb 2024
Get Logistics Workers Home Safely! Logistics last mile delivery network in Europe presents a complex and challenging landscape for drivers, many of whom are not directly employed by directly by the big players likle Amazon. Instead, these drivers are part of a vast web of subcontracted companies. News 24 Nov 2023
“Get Me Home Safely” Campaign for Railway Workers After a first take on the Aviation workers, ETF’s campaign “Get me Home Safely” focuses now on railway workers. A video on the safety of railway workers was unveiled this week, shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of safe commuting for railway employees, especially women. News 22 Nov 2023
ETF Launches “Get Me Home Safely Campaign” for Civil Aviation Workers The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) has taken a step in advocating for the safety and well-being of civil aviation workers with the launch of its “Get Me Home Safely Campaign” for the Aviation sector. A video on the safety of aviation workers was unveiled during a joint webinar with the Airport Regions Council (ARC), shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of safe commuting for airport employees, especially women. In the next weeks, new videos will be released. News 27 Oct 2023
ETF Solidarity after railway accident in Italy ETF in solidarity with Italian Unions after 5-death tragedy in Italy’s railway. A serious rail accident occurred last night on the railway line between Brandizzo and Chivasso, Italy. Five railway infrastructure maintenance workers died, and 3 other workers were injured. Statement 1 Sep 2023
ITF and ETF stand with pilots over safety threat ITF and ETF stand together with IFALPA, ECA and US-ALPA in saying NO to reducing the number of pilots in the cockpit, as such a plan is nothing but “a profit-driven scheme that poses a significant safety risk”. News 29 Mar 2023
When reality proves that real social dialogue is not just a rigid concept, but a key principle The ETF supports the position of the SAS pilots and opposes SAS’s attempts to undercut the social dialogue process by declaring bankruptcy. These practices go against every principle of social dialogue and we will not stand for this. News 13 Jul 2022