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The latest news on the issues affecting us all, and the actions we’re taking to improve our working lives and futures. 

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Joint conference on austerity and public services

ETF, in collaboration with EPSU and ETUCE, organized "Austerity: What Lessons Learned for Public Services?" This event gathered key stakeholders to discuss the impacts of austerity on public services and strategize future actions. ETF General Secretary Livia Spera emphasized the need for immediate investment to protect public sector jobs and services, highlighting the contradiction between the EU's Green Deal ambitions and current funding for public transport.
News

ETF Unites for the Second Annual European Day Against Driver Fatigue

ETF hosted its second annual European Day Against Driver Fatigue. This day of action, held on the longest day of the year, continued the momentum built by the inaugural campaign in 2023, bringing attention to the critical issue of driver fatigue in the road transport sector. Coordinated with ETF affiliates across Europe, the event underscored the demanding conditions that professional drivers endure daily.
Press release

Transport union federations urge EU states to go further, faster on supply chain due diligence

As states get green light to implement supply chain Directive, ETF and ITF demand more from landmark law The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are calling on European Union (EU) Member States to quickly introduce strong domestic supply chain due diligence laws to protect transport workers from corporate abuse.
News

“We Want to Work, Not Starve”: Rail Workers Protest in Warsaw Against PKP Cargo’s Forced Leave Policy

On June 19, 2024, NSZZ Solidarność protested at PKP CARGO S.A. headquarters in Warsaw against the interim Management Board's decision to place up to 30% of workers on forced leave with only 60% of their salaries. Under the slogan "We want to work, not starve," the union demanded the reinstatement of terminated agreements and criticized the lack of negotiations, while acting CEO Marcin Wojewódka was reportedly on vacation.
News

Executive Committee of ETF met in Brussels on June 4/5

On June 4th and 5th, 2024, Brussels hosted the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) Executive Committee meeting. Trade unionists from across Europe gathered to discuss and shape the future of European transport, focusing on workers' interests. ETF President Frank Moreels opened the meeting by underlining the need to stop the far-right, who have always worked against the interests of workers.
Statement

European Transport Workers’ Federation Statement on the European Elections

Despite democratic forces in the European Parliament maintaining a majority, the significant growth of the far right is deeply troubling for workers across Europe. In the EU and at national level, far-right representatives have consistently voted against workers' rights, threatening the hard-won protections and benefits that millions rely on, including in the transport industry.
Press release

EU Talent Pool Proposal gives green light to more Grafenhausen-like cases

The European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) wants to expose the fundamental threat posed by the European Commission's “Talent Pool” proposal to the integrity of transport sectors and the rights of workers. As the Council of Ministers inches closer to a potential agreement under the Belgian Presidency as early as 10 June, the ETF mobilises in a bid to halt this progression without listening to Unions.
News

France: Thousands of Railway Workers Rally to Defend Public Train Service

On May 28, nearly 8,000 railway workers, organized by the Trade Unions representing railways workers, gathered in Paris for an important demonstration. This event marked a unified stand against the ongoing dismantling of France's public railway system, the SNCF, under the pressure of liberalization and competition from the private sector. It also highlighted broader concerns about other European railway systems facing similar issues.
News

Choose the union or your job, dockers told

Dockers in Turkey are facing an increased attack on their right to join the union of their choice by a hostile employer. Dockers at Borusan Port started to unionise in March by joining the dockers’ union Liman-İş . Their employer – Borusan Lojistik AS – responded by sacking six workers, who were later reinstated after the intervention of local politicians.
News

Major Inspection Near Port of Antwerp Reveals Alarming Rate of Violations in Road Transport Sector

On May 20, 2024, a major inspection occurred at the Noorderlaan car park near the Port of Antwerp. Organized by the Belgian police and the Social Intelligence and Investigation Service (SIOD), the operation saw participation from the European Transport Worker’s Federation (ETF), BTB-ABVV, CSC Transcom, ACV Openbare Diensten, and the RTDD Foundation. With the support of the European Labour Authority (ELA), authorities from Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania were also present in a collaborative effort to tackle social fraud and enforce compliance in road transport.
News

Interview with Giorgio Tuti: “Europe Needs to Invest In Its Railway System”

Switzerland is currently negotiating a new framework agreement with the EU. The union of Swiss transport workers SEV is demanding that the Swiss government does not give in to pressure from the EU Commission to agree to a market opening for international rail passenger transport. The SEV is also supporting the Swiss Trade Union Federation's demand to protect wages. Switzerland's negotiations are also in the interest of the ETF, the European Transport Workers' Federation. The former SEV president Giorgio Tuti is president of the rail sector at the ETF. A discussion on current European politics.
News

Opinion: Third country drivers in road transport: the new wave of social dumping

The road transport sector in Europe plays a vital role in supporting the economy, facilitating commerce, and ensuring connectivity. However, this critical industry hides a troubling reality of exploitation, precarity, human rights abuses, and unfair competition. The latest wave of exploitation targets third-country nationals: drivers recruited from non-European countries under questionable arrangements and precarious conditions, as part of a business model where they are employed in countries where they never actually work.

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