The ETF Road Transport Section elected its new Chair, Elisa Gigliarelli (Filt-Cgil, Italy), during its annual section meeting in Warsaw last week. Elisa succeeds Stefan Thyroke (ver.di, Germany), who received a standing ovation in recognition of his outstanding commitment to strengthening the Road Section and expanding ETF's work beyond Brussels.
We are proud to welcome Elisa as the first woman to chair an ETF section. Active in the Road Transport Section since 2015 and serving as Vice-Chair since 2019, she brings extensive trade union experience, both from her background as a logistics worker and her current role as Head of the International Office at Filt-Cgil.
To mark the occasion, we spoke with Elisa about her priorities for the period ahead and her vision for the future of the section.
What does it mean to become the first female Chair of the ETF Road Transport Section?
First of all, I would like to thank all our members for the trust they have placed in me. Being the first woman to lead the section is an honour, but it also reflects a positive change within ETF. It shows that we are moving towards greater gender balance in leadership positions. I will bring my own style of leadership, while building on the strong foundations that already exist. My ambition is to lead the section successfully towards the ETF Congress and, if members so wish, continue that work beyond.
What do you see as the most urgent challenges facing road transport workers today?
We are living through a period marked by multiple crises, from the energy crisis and geopolitical tensions to challenges facing democracy and growing generational concerns. Looking at the mobilisation of young people across Europe and beyond, it is clear that many are demanding a greater say in shaping their future.
In this context, trade unions must be ready to adapt and respond to change. For us, the key task is to ensure that workers' rights, working conditions and social protections are not weakened during these transitions. As the first woman to lead a section in ETF, I also see my election as a sign that our movement is evolving. Greater gender balance in leadership is important, and we must continue working towards a more diverse road transport sector.
What will be your priorities for the next mandate?
Our starting point must be the same as always: building a fair road transport sector. It is essential that we integrate the perspective of women into all aspects of our work and continue our efforts to build a more inclusive transport sector.
This means continuing our work on the enforcement of EU legislation, including the Mobility Package and the posting of drivers rules, while further strengthening cooperation with institutions such as the European Labour Authority (ELA). We must continue fighting unfair competition, letterbox companies and abuse in subcontracting chains. As the sector increasingly relies on migrant and third-country national workers, equal rights and protection from exploitation are essential to prevent social dumping and defend fair wages and decent working conditions for all workers.
Road safety, occupational health and safety, and driver wellbeing will remain high on the agenda. This includes our work on driver fatigue, safe and secure parking areas, and the impact of climate change on drivers' working conditions.
At the same time, we need to prepare for the future. Digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence and the green transition are reshaping the sector. These developments must be managed through a just transition that puts workers first.
Finally, we must continue organising workers and strengthening cooperation across transport sectors. The challenges faced by transport workers are increasingly interconnected, and our response must be equally united.
How do you see the role of ETF in the years ahead?
ETF must continue to be a strong voice towards European institutions, governments and stakeholders, but we must also remain, first and foremost, a trade union organisation.
Our strength comes from our members across Europe. We need to connect European policy discussions with the realities faced by workers on the ground and turn those realities into collective action. ETF's mission goes beyond influencing policy. It is about defending workers and building solidarity across borders and ensuring that trade unions remain a real force for change. That is what will guide my work as Chair.
Last, and perhaps most importantly: now that you'll be spending more time in Brussels, where do your loyalties lie: Belgian waffles or moules-frites?
Waffles or moules-frites? If you had asked me to choose between Belgian chocolate and Belgian fries, I would have had a real dilemma. In this case, my sweet tooth makes the decision much easier: waffles win!
