Statement November 5, 2024 ETF Statement on Commissioner-designate Tzitzikostas’s Hearing The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), representing millions of workers across Europe’s transport sector, listened closely to yesterday’s confirmation hearing of Commissioner-designate Apostolos Tzitzikostas. The transport sector is facing a multitude of problems and ETF is determined to build a dialogue with Mr. Tzitzikostas to address the sector’s greatest challenges. Transport workers, who keep Europe moving, deserve a sector that values their contributions and meets their needs. We will watch closely for the next steps and expect a commitment to the practical changes that will benefit all Europeans.
Publication November 4, 2024 “A Europe of closed barriers? No thanks!” Opinion by Frank Moreels, ETF President – “Things are not going well for Europe. While countries like France and Germany reintroduce border controls within the Schengen zone, one of the biggest problems facing the transportation sector remains unanswered: social dumping. Instead of undermining the core of the European project by increasing controls at internal borders, EU member states would do better to focus their energy on tackling exploitation and injustice in the transportation sector.”
Press Release October 4, 2024 CJEU verdict on return of vehicle greenlights letterbox companies: ETF calls on the Commission to take action The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has today delivered a verdict to annul the return of vehicle provision, a core element of the Mobility Package. This decision is a significant setback for efforts to combat unfair competition and labor rights violations, as well as a serious blow to the economic and social sustainability of the industry.
News October 2, 2024 ETF Logistics Conference 2024: Confronting Exploitation in Europe’s Logistics Sector Discussions highlighted the rising prevalence of subcontracting, increasing workplace surveillance, and the urgent need for legislative change to protect vulnerable workers across Europe.
News September 27, 2024 Launch of new online tool: the Transnational Restructuring Navigator Company restructuring is no longer an exceptional circumstance. It has become a daily reality faced by trade unions and workers and a regular feature across all sectors and activities. The Transnational Restructuring Navigator (TRN) is a new online, interactive tool that helps worker representatives do exactly that. It provides them with the recommended trade union approach to confronting 11 different types of transnational restructuring.
Statement September 23, 2024 Open letter to Apostolos Tzitzikostas On 20 September the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) sent an open letter to nominated Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
Statement September 19, 2024 ETF Expresses Solidarity with Communities Affected by Central and Eastern Europe Floods The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and its Rail Steering Committee have issued messages of solidarity to its affiliates and the broader community in Central and Eastern Europe following the devastating floods caused by Storm Boris. This extreme weather event has had a severe impact across Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Italy and Romania, with extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and transport systems.
News September 18, 2024 Hundreds Rally in Strasbourg Urging EU to End Exploitation in Subcontracting Chains More than 700 workers united today in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to call upon the EU institutions to take urgent action to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains and labour intermediation. Hundreds of transport workers participated with their unions, coming from all over Europe to send a clear message to the newly appointed EU Commission.
News September 13, 2024 Advocating for Social and Labour Considerations in the Common Fisheries Policy Evaluation The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and Europêche, as the European Social Partners in the fisheries sector, have submitted a joint position paper to the European Commission. This response is part of the Commission’s ongoing evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Both organizations emphasized the need to address the CFP’s socio-economic shortcomings and its impact on workers and communities in the fishing industry.
Press Release September 9, 2024 Stop Exploitation: Joint Demonstration in Strasbourg on September 17th ETF, EFBWW (European Federation of Building and Woodworkers), and EFFAT (the European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions) will join in a first-ever joint demonstration outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, 17 September 2024. The demonstration will gather more than 700 workers. We want to ensure equal treatment across subcontracting chains, regulate labour intermediation, and include the prohibition of intermediaries in posting. Enhances inspection mechanisms to protect workers’ rights.
News July 24, 2024 ETF Calls for Renewed Focus on Transport Workers’ Rights under New TRAN Committee Chair In a formal letter calling for close cooperation with the Chair and the whole Committee, ETF General Secretary Livia Spera outlined the analysis and demands contained in the Manifesto that the Federation adopted ahead of the EU elections. Central to these demands is the need to put workers at the core of EU transport policies, notably to reverse the severe labour shortage crisis that is currently plaguing the sector.