Europe is strengthening its defence capabilities through the EU’s Military Mobility Package, designed to enable the swift movement of troops and equipment across borders in times of crisis. While the objective of improving preparedness is legitimate, it must be pursued in full respect of fundamental rights, social standards, and democratic governance.

The European fishing sector is once again plunging into a state of emergency. A rapid and dramatic surge in fuel prices, triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is threatening to paralyze the EU fishing fleet and, more importantly, the workers who keep it running. This is not just an economic hurdle for vessel owners; it is a direct threat to the wages, safety, and job security of thousands of fishers across Europe.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) released a statement today, calling on airlines, governments and European institutions to end a recurring and damaging pattern in times of crisis: prioritising short-term fixes at the expense of workers, resilience, and long-term recovery of the sector.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation expresses its deep sadness following the tragic accident yesterday morning involving a TGV train and a truck carrying military equipment near Bully-les-Mines, between Lens and Béthune.

ETF calls on the EU Commission to act immediately on three non-negotiable priorities: adopting binding, cross-sector crisis and safety frameworks; guaranteeing that crises are not managed through downward pressure on jobs, wages, and working conditions; in consultation with social partners, come up with robust transport preparedness strategies that guarantee resilient EU transport systems.

Joint statement: European Shipowners and European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) reaffirm commitment to upskilling and reskilling of seafarers The European Maritime Skills Forum held its second plenary session in Brussels, reaffirming the shared commitment of European Shipowners and seafarers' unions to address the skill challenge of the green and digital transition.

As public transport budgets face mounting pressure across Europe, unions and civil society groups are fighting back. In Belgium, cuts to Flemish operator De Lijn have united workers, passengers, and environmental organisations in demanding an urgent change of course. In Germany, a broad coalition is calling for a binding right to mobility. Together, these movements reflect a growing consensus: reliable, well-funded public transport is an essential public service and the workers who run it deserve better too.

Recently published research from the Norwegian Institute of Transport Economics has provided further inputs to ETF’s campaign to protect bus and coach drivers from fatal frontal collisions. What’s more, a technical solution is now in sight. All that is needed is action by policymakers.

The European Social Partners in the Urban Public Transport sector, representing operators and workers across all EU Member States, welcome the European Commission’s commitment to modernise the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.

Two weeks ago, ETF joined its Dutch affiliate FNV to observe a court case in the East of the Netherlands involving a truck driver who had been living in his truck for months without receiving his pay. The court has now ruled in the driver’s favour.

Yesterday, the EP adopted in plenary its first reading position on the EC Talent Pool proposal, a matching platform connecting job seekers from non-EU countries with EU based companies. Judging from the experience so far, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) believes this is a missed opportunity to do justice to those third country nationals hoping for decent jobs and living conditions in the EU.

On Thursday, ETF joined its Dutch affiliate, FNV, in the East of the Netherlands to observe a court case involving a truck driver who has been living in his truck for months without getting his agreed or legally required payments. The truck driver, Muhammad, originally from Tajikistan, was brought to the Dutch court by his Lithuanian employer.