News May 8, 2025 ETF and IRU call on EU Commissioner to Shed Light on Posted Driver Pay The ETF co-signed a letter with the IRU voicing once again concerns about the lack of complete information on remuneration levels in the EU Member States. This prevents drivers from checking whether they have been paid correctly for the full range of their activities and prevents trade unions from supporting drivers’ pay claims.
News May 7, 2025 ETF Launches Survey on Violence and Harassment Against Women Transport Workers To better understand the violent realities women transport workers face and to push for real change, the ETF Women’s Committee has launched a new survey: “Violence and harassment against women transport workers.” The aim is to collect testimonies directly from women working in all areas of the transport sector. Fill it in! It’s quick and available in 9 languages!
News May 6, 2025 Giorgio Tuti Elected New ETF President Belgian trade union leader Frank Moreels stepped down from his function of ETF President, in view of his upcoming role as President of the ITF. A Swiss national, Giorgio Tuti has been a high-profile unionist in the trade union movement since 1988. He served as President of the Swiss Transport Workers’ Union (SEV) for 14 years, from 2009 to 2023 and has been Vice-Chair of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation since 2009. Tuti has been chairing the ETF Railways Section since 2017.
News May 5, 2025 Building Roads to Fair Transport: Conclusions from the ETF Conference on Posting of Workers and Third-country Drivers in Road Haulage One clear takeaway from the conference was the united call for stronger enforcement of the Mobility Package. The participants, including trade unions, employers, labour authorities demanded not only improved tools and resources for enforcement, but also proper support for trade unions, which play a key role in flagging violations and offering expertise on workers’ rights.
Statement April 30, 2025 What Does May 1st Mean in 2025? As we approach May 1st, the day dedicated to celebrating workers’ rights and achievements, it is crucial to reflect on the current socio-political landscape. In 2025, we find ourselves navigating through challenging times marked by the rise of far-right ideologies, attacks on workers and their unions, and the increasing influence of billionaires in politics.
Statement April 28, 2025 ETF’s Train Drivers Call for Time-Monitoring Tool on World Day for Safety and Health at Work As the rail system becomes ever more fragmented and cross-border operations continue to grow, national authorities are unable to track whether drivers are adhering to essential safety-related time limits — particularly those who work across multiple countries or for more than one employer. This lack of oversight endangers not only workers’ well-being but also the safety of the entire rail network.
News April 28, 2025 International Workers Memorial Day: One Death at Work is One Too Many On April 28th, we observe International Workers Memorial Day, an occasion to remember those who have been killed or injured at work and raise awareness about safety at work. This day serves as a strong reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the need for continuous efforts to protect workers. The transport and fisheries sectors, in particular, stand out as some of the most hazardous industries, with alarming rates of both fatal and non-fatal incidents.
News April 25, 2025 ETF Launches Questionnaire to Support LGBTQI+ Transport Workers The European Transport Workers’ Federation has launched a new questionnaire aimed at gathering crucial insights into the experiences, needs, and challenges of LGBTQI+ workers within the transport sector. This initiative is part of the ETF’s ongoing commitment to fostering equality, inclusivity, and respect for all workers.
News April 24, 2025 ETF’s First Response to IMO’s Climate Agreement: What Net-Zero Means for Maritime and Ports In April 2025, the IMO adopted a global carbon pricing mechanism for shipping, to take effect in 2028, with a $100-per-tonne levy on CO₂ emissions above targets. Aimed at achieving net-zero by 2050, the agreement also highlights the critical role of seafarers. Meanwhile, the EU has already implemented a more advanced system: maritime transport has been included in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) since January 2024, with full coverage by 2026.
Statement April 17, 2025 ETF’s Reaction to EU Study on “Safe and Secure Parking Areas” A new EU-commissioned study on Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs), published on 11 April, puts professional drivers’ wellbeing at risk by recommending changes to the Mobility Package that would allow regular rest in vehicle cabins. Unions were not consulted at any stage of the process – a glaring omission that casts serious doubt on the credibility of the study. We reject its misleading conclusions and call on the European Commission to uphold the Mobility Package and protect drivers from a return to exploitative practices.
Press Release April 16, 2025 ETF Road Conference: Bridge the Gap Between Working Conditions and the Law The European Transport Workers’ Federation held a conference on the posting of workers and third-country nationals in road freight transport at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. The event brought together key stakeholders, including trade unions, labour and road inspectors, representatives of ELA, the EU Commission, and employer organisations, to address critical issues in road transport.
News April 11, 2025 In Conversation with Leon: Join the Movement for Diversity and Inclusion in the Transport Industry In this interview, Leon shares his insights on the importance of trade union work in protecting the rights of queer individuals, the challenges faced by the community in the workplace, and the critical role of education and awareness in fostering a more inclusive society. This interview is part of a series of actions to prepare the upcoming ETF Conference on Diversity and Inclusivity “We Are All Equally Different”, taking place on June 27, 2025, in Paris.