InnoTrans 2026 brought together the global rail community, with halls full of new technologies, digital tools and ambitious visions for the future of transport. In this environment, the ETF made sure that the perspective of workers was not only present but clearly heard.

On 24 September, trade unionists from across Europe gathered in Brussels to oppose the proposed EU "28th Regime". Organised by ETUC with the support of ETF and other European trade union federations and national unions, the rally highlighted concerns that the proposal could allow companies to bypass national labour laws and weaken workers’ rights.

Europêche and ETF, the EU Social Partners for the fishing sector, are calling on the European Commission to urgently extend and adapt existing fuel support measures as exceptionally high fuel prices continue to put severe pressure on fishing companies across the EU.

Europêche and ETF, the EU Social Partners for the fishing sector, are calling on the European Commission to ensure the timely renewal of the EU-Mauritania Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, which expires on 14 November 2026.

The reality for many drivers in Europe remains starkly divided. During an ELA roadshow in Jabbeke, ETF and its affiliates met drivers on the ground and discussed their working and living conditions, revealing a sharp contrast between employers that respect the rules and those that continue to undermine workers' rights.

As European Mobility Week comes to a close, ETF and its affiliated unions in urban public transport (UPT) presented new research on the severe problem of third-party violence in the sector.

Following discussions between trade unions, employers and authorities that took place at national level on the raising concerns on high fuel prices and their impact on the fisheries sector, EU social partners ETF and Europêche addressed a letter to Commissioner Kadis and relevant EU institutions, asking to extend fuel aid.

Road transport unions from across Europe gathered in Liverpool this week for an ETF conference hosted by our affiliate Unite the Union, placing the spotlight on one of the sector's most pressing challenges: subcontracting.

The European Parliament recently adopted a Motion for a resolution on the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)and follow up. The ETF welcomes this text and its call for a review of the CFP with the objective of striking a balance between the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainability.

The ETF welcomes the Fair Labour Mobility Package presented yesterday by the European Commission. Mobile and non-EU workers are essential to the fabric of the internal market and the possibility to work in another EU country is an invaluable freedom. However, labour mobility only works in a spirit of fairness and upwards social convergence.

This week, ETF affiliates from across Europe met in Brussels to discuss the ongoing restructuring of UPS operations in Belgium and the UK. More than half the workforce in each country faces redundancy, to be largely replaced by workers doing the same jobs, in a subcontracting chain, on more precarious terms. For trade unions, this is not restructuring. It's social dumping continuing to spread through the sector.

The recent ruling recognising former Air France cabin crew member Sophie Lainault's breast cancer as an occupational disease has attracted attention far beyond France. Speaking to Euractiv , the