News October 2, 2025 New EU study warns: precarious aircrew contracts pose safety risks A pilot’s or cabin crew member’s employment contract should not be a safety risk – but too often, it still is. A new EU study warns that precarious working conditions in the sector are eroding both staff well-being and airline safety culture. Ten years after Ghent University’s groundbreaking 2015 research revealed the rise of “atypical” pilot contracts..
Press Release October 1, 2025 ETF’s Logistics Action Days 2025 launch across Europe Transport workers’ unions across Europe are launching a week of coordinated actions from 2-9 October to shine a spotlight on exploitation in the logistics sector and demand stronger regulation of subcontracting and labour intermediation. We will see trade unions in Spain, Sweden, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Turkey and other countries mobilising to meet workers, raise awareness, and push for legislative change at both national and European levels.
News September 30, 2025 ETF stands in solidarity with ver.di and Lufthansa employees Lufthansa has announced job cuts and the outsourcing of ground operations, putting upwards of 4,000 jobs on the line. The ETF stands in solidarity with ver.di and the employees at Lufthansa as they face job losses and an uncertain future. Lufthansa’s move to cut jobs and outsource operations underscores the need for a comprehensive European aviation strategy that safeguards affordable and sustainable connectivity, fair competition, and quality jobs.
Press Release September 29, 2025 ETF survey exposes shocking levels of violence and harassment against women transport workers The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) released today the first results of its new survey on violence and harassment against women in the transport sector. The findings reveal an alarming reality: nearly three out of four women transport workers (74%) reported having experienced violence or harassment in their current workplace.
News September 25, 2025 Strengthening the role of EU Advisory Councils in fisheries governance Today, the ETF sent a letter to Commissioner Kadis on the functioning of Advisory Councils, expressing our concern with recent proposals that seek a fundamental reform of the Advisory Councils’ (AC) structure, risking to undermine ACs and the essential role played by the fishing sector.
News September 25, 2025 Strengthening the social dimension in the EU’s external fisheries strategy Fisheries are inherently global in nature. The European Union, with its expansive waters, sizeable fleet, and influential seafood market, plays a central role in shaping how this sector operates worldwide. Beyond conserving fish stocks and managing access to resources, the EU has the opportunity – and indeed the responsibility – to influence how social, economic, and environmental sustainability intertwine in global fisheries.
Statement September 24, 2025 Joint trade union statement following meeting with the Ambassador of Palestine to the EU Following a meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to the EU in Brussels, ETF and the European Trade Union Federations reiterated their call for decisive EU action on Gaza. We urge the EU to enforce trade sanctions, end economic relations with illegal settlements, and ensure that workers who refuse to handle weapons consignments are not criminalised.
News September 24, 2025 Bus and Coach Driver Unions Push for Action on Bus Collision Safety Coming together in Rome, ETF affiliates from across Europe will today share experiences from their respective countries and launch a united call addressed to governments, employers and manufacturers that every bus driver has the right to a safe working environment.
News September 22, 2025 ETF leads a new industry push to fight flight disruptions by unruly passengers Following an ETF initiative, a large group of European social partners in Civil Aviation has just issued a joint statement calling for the generalised ratification and implementation of the Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14) in Europe. This is a strong message by the representatives of aviation workers and employers that must be heard by all EU member states and EU institutions.
Statement September 18, 2025 ETF stands in total solidarity with French unions striking against brutal austerity The European Transport Workers’ Federation expresses its total solidarity with French affiliates striking today (September 18th) against the French government’s proposed austerity budget. Once again, working people are being forced to pay the price of the government’s own mismanagement. The removal of two days of public holidays, more cuts to public services, freezing of social benefits and public sector pay, among many other questionable measures, will hurt the well-being of French workers and will not lead to lower debt.
Statement September 18, 2025 ETF statement on the Brenner Base Tunnel breakthrough: workers must not be left behind For two years, unions from Austria, Italy, and Germany (under the umbrella of the ETF) have consistently called for meaningful involvement in the Brenner Corridor Platform (BCP). Despite being a recognised European social partner in the railway sector, ETF has been denied access to critical discussions, including those on rest areas, operational language and safety protocols.
News September 16, 2025 European Mobility Week 2025 – No Public Transport Without Public Transport Workers! Today marks the beginning of the European Mobility Week, the European Commission’s flagship awareness-raising campaign on the sustainable urban mobility. Over 1518 towns and cities across Europe are participating in this year’s campaign, including car-free days in cities such as Brussels and Paris.