ETF mobilises in Strasbourg to call for quality railway services
Today, Tuesday the 25th of February (13:00 – 15:30), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) organises a demonstration in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The ETF will bring to Strasbourg more than 3000 European railway workers from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
The 4th Railway Package will not benefit the railways, the passengers and the workers
The ETF rejects a 4th Railway Package that disregards the social impact of introducing further liberalisation and fragmentation in the European railways.
“We do not want to see the railways turned into another opportunity for private actors to make profits” stressed Guy Greivelding, ETF Railway Section President. “What is needed are affordable, accessible, quality railway services for the people and this 4th Railway Package will not bring any of this. There is a direct link between quality of the services and the quality of the jobs: enhanced competition will inevitably lead to cost-cutting measures that put increased pressure on working conditions and employment”, he added. “Railway passengers services are a public service and the Members of the European Parliament should better preserve them as such” he concluded.
Hands-off the right to strike!
“We call also for the rejection of any limitation of the right to strike through the introduction of “minimum services“ provisions to a right that is recognised by both the European Union and International Labour Organisation as a basic fundamental trade union right” said Sabine Trier, ETF Deputy General Secretary.
The ETF supports the citizens right of mobility but this cannot be to the detriment of trade union rights.
European railway workers will be outside the European Parliament on the 25th of February while the Members of the Parliament will discuss and vote on the 4th Railway Package. The ETF and its affiliates will watch carefully their voting behaviour, also in view of the upcoming European elections.
For more information, please contact:
- Sabine Trier, ETF Deputy General Secretary, s.trier@etf-europe.org, +32(0)22854667, +32 (0)477512814
- Andrea Albertazzi, Assistant of ETF Railway Section, a.albertazzi@etf-europe.org, +32 (0)2 2854588
