Skip to main content
ETF black logo ETF black logo ETF black logo ETF black logo

Google Translate

Happy birthday to us! ETF celebrates its 60th anniversary

News

On November 29 2018 the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) celebrated 60 years of continuous commitment to fair transport, quality jobs for workers and a safe service for users. Since the establishment in 1958 of a representative office for railway unions from the 6 founding states of the European Economic Community, our movement has grown to encompass over 200 unions in 41 countries that represent over 5 millions workers in all transport sectors.

We celebrated this special day with a reception for our affiliates, brothers and sisters coming from all over the Europe. The reception was held alongside our Executive Committee, which brings representatives of affiliate from all over Europe. And were joined by policymakers, social partners and allies. It was wonderful to celebrate our 60th anniversary with those who support our mission to make the transport sector fairer.

We want to thank our affiliates again for joining us to celebrate the past, present and future of the European Transport Workers’ Federation. We look forward to the years ahead as we grow stronger in our organising, projects and campaigns – in order to guarantee that transport workers have the rights they deserve. And finally, we hope that our relations with the affiliates become even stronger in the future.

 

ON THE GROUND

News

Keeping a warming Europe moving: how hot temperatures affect transport workers and what can be done about it

As part of the European continent undergoes its fourth heatwave of 2026, it has become abundantly clear that occupational heat exposure is no longer an exceptional or occasional summer hazard. It is an emergent occupational hazard only destined to escalate. Europe is the second fastest-warming region of the globe after the Arctic. According to EU-OSHA 2025 numbers, one in five workers in the EU signaled exposure to extreme heat at work in the previous 12 months, a figure rising to one in three in some countries.
News

Unruly passengers: more than just summer headlines

Summer may be synonymous with relaxation for holidaymakers and every summer seems to produce its share of eye-catching headlines. Just days ago, The Guardian reported on a drunk British holidaymaker who tried to kiss a flight attendant on a plane and was arrested on his way back through Palma airport. A week earlier, headlines were dominated by reports of a flight from Dublin to Ibiza descending into what was described as "sex and booze chaos," leaving fellow passengers shocked.
News

UK public transport unions sound the alarm over lack of toilet access for drivers

Public transport unions in the United Kingdom are raising urgent concerns about the lack of access to toilet facilities for bus and train drivers, a problem that has persisted for years but is now reaching a breaking point. Reports from across the UK show drivers being forced to work entire shifts without guaranteed access to a toilet, leaving them to rely on improvised or unsafe alternatives, including urinating in bottles in their driving cab. Some unions are now considering industrial action to force employers and authorities to act.