Statement May 1, 2023 Transport workers speak out on International Workers’ Day: Urgent action needed to address worker shortage ETF draws attention to the severe worker shortage in the transport sector and the urgent need to listen to transport workers’ voices.
Statement March 27, 2023 Solidarity with workers across Germany taking strike action for fair pay ETF expresses solidarity with ver.di and EVG, as well as all workers across Germany taking strike action for fair wages.
News March 24, 2023 Greening the aviation sector: trade unions insist on a Just Transition! The second European aviation Just Transition roundtable with external experts and trade unions focused on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable aviation fuels and the potential impact of the green transition on the European workforce.
Press Release March 8, 2023 Get ME home safely: Unions demand safe commuting for women transport workers Get ME home safely: ETF and transport unions across Europe advocate for safe commuting as a political, employer, and local community obligation.
Campaign March 6, 2023 Get ME home safely: Safe commuting to and from work for transport workers Get ME home safely: A campaign for safe commuting to and from work for transport workers.
Press Release February 24, 2023 Ukraine’s 400,000 transport workers kept the country moving, they deserve peace At the one-year anniversary of the onset of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the world’s transport unions call for PEACE!
Press Release February 21, 2023 Transport unions around the globe condemn crackdown on Tunisian workers ITF and ETF condemn Tunisian Government’s attack on trade unions. The crackdown on trade unions and civil rights – with union leaders arrested and detained – comes as a response to unprecedented protests against a power grab by President Kais Saied. Unions also denounce the Tunisian Government’s expulsion of European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Esther Lynch.
News February 17, 2023 Unions donate to new solidarity fund for earthquake survivors in Türkiye and Syria An emergency fund to support transport workers and their unions in Türkiye and Syria in the wake of the devastating earthquakes has been launched by the ETF and the ITF.
News February 7, 2023 The future of transport, as the ETF President, Frank Moreels, sees it ETF President Frank Moreels is convinced the way forward for transport is to place people – both workers and users – at its core. Right after the ETF roundtable on the future of transport, he shared his views on how the transport sector should look like and what needs to be done to get there.
News February 3, 2023 The twin transition in transport – how to make it just for manufacturing and transport service workers On 31 January and 1 February, industriAll Europe and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) hosted the first set of workshops within the joint EU-funded project on Building a Just Transition towards a Smart and Sustainable Mobility. The goal was to understand better the trends, impacts and challenges of the twin transition and propose strategies to guarantee a fair and just transition for all workers.
Statement February 1, 2023 European trade unions call out UK government’s attack on working people The European trade union movement stands firmly in solidarity with the British trade union movement on the TUC’s national ‘protect the right to strike’ day and every day.
News January 30, 2023 Solving transport’s labour crisis requires policies that put workers first Last week, ETF launched a worker-centred discussion around the future of transport with EU Transport Commissioner, Adina Vălean, and the European Parliament’s TRAN Committee coordinators – Marin-Jean Marinescu (EPP), Petar Vitanov (S&D), Ciarán Cuffe (Greens/EFA) and Elena Kountoura (The Left).
Statement January 27, 2023 European trade unions federations on the anti-strike legislation in the UK – bin it ! The European Trade Union Federations (ETUFs) strongly condemn the UK government’s draft legislation on minimum service. It needs to be withdrawn.
News January 25, 2023 Ukraine: Solidarity Strengthened by Conflict Ukrainian unions representing millions of transport workers welcomed leaders from European and global union federations to a solidarity meeting last week.
Statement January 23, 2023 European trade unions condemn UK government’s anti-strike legislation ETF, EPSU and ETUCE, representing millions of public service, transport and education workers across Europe, strongly condemn the UK government’s plans to legislate on minimum service levels.
Statement January 16, 2023 UK government must repeal the Strikes Bill We fully support what our UK unions in what they say – this legislation serves only to criminalise and punish workers, undermine democracy at the workplace, and limit the effectiveness of all types of strike action.
News December 20, 2022 Lithuania’s labour issues require European solutions The issues trade unions and transport workers face are not just Lithuanian but European and therefore require a European solution.
Info December 14, 2022 Preparing the ETF for global changes in transport Given the strategic importance of transport as part of the EU economy, ETF is engaged in finding out more about how global economics, particularly China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), interact with EU transport and labour policies.
News December 13, 2022 Building a Just Transition to smart and sustainable mobility The European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) and industriAll Europe have embarked on a joint project to examine the impact on workers of the profound changes that will result from the decarbonisation of transport and to find ways to achieve a just transition for workers.
Statement November 24, 2022 Dignity for logistics workers is 2022’s best Black Friday deal Unions are ready to negotiate, but are e-commerce companies ready? This year’s best Black Friday deal would be one where e-commerce companies sit down and talk to unions about providing dignity at work for the millions of warehouse and delivery workers working around the clock this 25 November.
News October 7, 2022 World Day for Decent Work: Shedding light on the logistics sector’s hidden workers On World Day for Decent Work, the European Transport Workers’ Federation puts the spotlight on logistics workers: the invisible workers behind our supply chains in a rapidly growing and worryingly unregulated logistics sector.
Statement October 5, 2022 Fresh waves of transport strikes will hit Europe until workers secure decent pay Transport workers’ conditions are at an all-time low while the cost of living is at an all-time high, bringing a new wave of strikes in transport. Transport workers are determined to get their due: improved working conditions and fair pay to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.
Press Release September 20, 2022 Labour shortage cannot be solved with third-country workers, warns European Transport Workers’ Federation ETF warns against opening the EU labour market to third-country nationals without first fixing the lack of decent work in the transport industry. To do so otherwise is an open invitation for further exploitation of transport workers.
News July 6, 2022 Fighting the right fight – Europe’s hot summer of strike action When Europe’s politicians and companies refuse to listen, and have no mindset to treat workers as human beings with the right to a decent life based on a decent job with fair pay and conditions… transport workers have no choice but to take strike action.
News June 30, 2022 1960 Genoa revolt drove fascists out; the resistance continues with today’s trade unions Led by trade unionists, 62 years ago, today, the people of Genoa, Italy drove the neo-fascist Italian party out of the city on 30 June 1960. Today, ETF, in partnership with other unions across Europe, is continuing the fight of our ancestors.
News June 29, 2022 Fair Transport Rally gathers thousands ETF, alongside its transport unions and transport workers from France, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium took Lyon’s streets for Fair Transport.
Press Release June 24, 2022 Thousands to take the streets in Lyon for Fair Transport this 28 June This 28 June, the ETF – thousands of transport workers and their unions – will march in the streets of Lyon, France, for Fair Transport.
Event June 22, 2022 Fair Transport rally in Lyon, France ETF will be bringing transport workers’ voices to Lyon – it’s time for Europe to deliver Fair Transport!
News June 8, 2022 Transport unions for fair platform work As one of the fastest growing business models, most common in delivery and ride hailing in transport, platform work took centre stage at a dedicated session at ETF’s 6th Congress.
News May 26, 2022 ETF recommits to shaping future of transport and transport work At the 6th Ordinary Congress of the European Transport Workers’ Federation in Budapest – an occasion to take stock of past work and decide on future priorities – the ETF recommits to its vision for Fair Transport.
Press Release May 25, 2022 Frank Moreels and Livia Spera relected leaders of European Transport Workers’ Federation On the occasion of ETF’s 6th Ordinary Congress in Budapest, Frank Moreels and Livia Spera were elected President and General Secretary of the European Transport Workers’ Federation.
News May 24, 2022 We are all EQUALly different – ETF stands for diversity and inclusivity ETF commits to stepping up work on equality issues with Diversity and Inclusivity Event “We are all EQUALly different” in Budapest.
Statement April 26, 2022 ETF-ITF Statement on Belarus ETF and ITF call on our affiliates to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters from Belarus, to demand the immediate release of trade unionists. Please support the call of global unions by signing the petition to stop the biggest attack on a trade union in Europe this century.
News February 25, 2022 Transport unions call for immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian military from Ukraine ITF and ETF call for an immediate ceasefire in hostilities, for the conflict to return to the diplomatic level, and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, following the military escalation in Ukraine.
News December 23, 2021 The European Commission’s Platform Proposal: a step forward for workers in the platform economy? Frank Moreels, ETF President spoke at the ITF’s Gig Economy Conference on 14 December where he outlined the significance of the new ‘EU Platform directive’
December 15, 2021 European Commission’s “efficient and green mobility package” lacks ambition to achieve social sustainability in transport The European Commission’s “efficient and green mobility package” – a series of initiatives that will affect transport workers in the long term, regrettably leaves them out of the picture – forgetting that environmental sustainability can only be achieved through social sustainability.
Issues December 9, 2021 Supply Chain Crisis – Current State of Play ETF takes a look at the hows and why of the supply chain crisis.
Press Release December 8, 2021 EU takes long-overdue first step towards fair platform work Early signals indicate that tomorrow’s European Commission proposal on the platform work will in part make good on their promise to improve the working conditions of platform workers. ETF reacts…
Statement November 25, 2021 Fighting violence against women transport workers must be a priority International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2021: ETF Executive Committee states: “Fighting violence against women transport workers must be a priority!”
Statement November 10, 2021 COP26 Transport Day: ETF calls for just transition and socially sustainable transport The ETF calls on the European Commission and world leaders at COP 26 to commit and strengthen just transition for transport workers and mandatory due diligence in the supply chain.
News November 3, 2021 ETF affiliates united for a European #Fight4FairLogistics As unions, we committed to working together to develop a European strategy to fight against the spread of unfair labour practices and business models in logistics and e-commerce across all transport sectors.
Event October 14, 2021 ETF unites to #FIGHT4FAIRLOGISTICS ETF’s transport unions from all across Europe are standing up together to advance the fight against the spread of unfair labour practices and business models in logistics and e-commerce: we’re making our fight a European one.
Statement October 12, 2021 ETF stands in solidarity with CGIL following fascist attack on headquarters This weekend, right-wing extremists and No-Vax attacked the headquarters of CGIL in Rome. The ETF strongly condemns these attacks and stands in solidarity with CGIL. For us, this is an attack on democracy and the entire trade union movement, and it shows the urgent need for the EU to take action and defend our European values with a plan to fight extreme right movements.
Statement September 2, 2021 European Commission must protect social dialogue, not undermine it! Following CJEU’s damaging ruling on how the Commission should handle EU social partner agreements, ETF, alongside EPSU and ETUC, calls on the European Commission to implement a clear and certain process to ensure that agreements can progress into the EU law as the EU treaties envisage.
Press Release July 27, 2021 “We will not be intimidated nor be silenced!” – ETF on anti-union climate in Romania On 26 – 27 July, an ETF delegation visited Bucharest in a fact-finding mission aiming to gather the last round of evidence on the state of social dialogue and the anti-union climate in Romania.
Statement July 15, 2021 Fit for 55 – environmental sustainability must be matched by social sustainability – with a just transition for transport workers The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) welcomes the ‘Fit for 55 Package’ in principle, but it must be backed by Just Transition measures and a comprehensive package of tools that better meets the needs of transport workers.
Statement June 2, 2021 ETF to EU Transport Ministers: “It’s time to step up for fair transport!” Ahead of tomorrow’s Transport Council which will see discussions on the Smart Sustainable Mobility Strategy, the ETF implores transport ministers to lead the debate for change and show political will to set the basis and shift the paradigm of low-cost models, liberalisation and competition based on a race to the bottom that has dominated transport policies over the last decades.
Statement June 1, 2021 ETF calls for immediate waiver of patents on Covid-19 vaccines A genuine recovery from COVID-19 will only be possible if it occurs globally and simultaneously, ensuring universal access to vaccination and medical equipment everywhere. The ETF demands that the European Commission, EU Council and all European States immediately support India and South Africa’s proposal at the WTO to fight Covid-19.
Statement May 6, 2021 New digital tools for enforcing mobile workers’ rights Ahead of the Social Summit, the ETF jointly with ETUC, EFFAT, ETF, EPSU, UNIEuropa and industriAll calls on the European Commission to not only confirm the launch of the European Social Security Pass (ESSP), but to move it forward from 2023 to 2022.
Statement April 30, 2021 Labour Day 2021: Policy makers, it’s time to take action for fair transport! Ahead of Labour Day, the ETF addresses an open letter to European and national policy makers to remind them about the reality of transport workers and urge them to take action for fair transport:
News March 11, 2021 “Fair transport remains an objective, rather than a reality” – ETF brings together key stakeholders in discussion on sustainability To kick off Sustainable Transport Days, the ETF brought together key players in EU transport and beyond to reflect on the future of these industries.
Event February 18, 2021 ETF-ETUI Sustainable Transport Days ETF-ETUI Sustainable Transport Days is a series of seminars for ETF affiliates and their members on the topic of Future of Transport policies in Europe. Seminars will kick off with an event open to all on the EU mobility strategy and Fair Transport.
Press Release February 10, 2021 Recovery and Resilience Facility: Transport Keeps Us Going Forward With the slogan “Transport for EU Recovery”, ETF, together with 31 organisations has issued a Statement on the Recovery and Resilience Facility to jointly call on Member States and the European Commission to ensure that the transport sector receives adequate consideration in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
News February 8, 2021 ETF and ITF outline demands for mandatory due diligence in reply to European Commission Consultation The European Commission has launched the initiative to consider introducing a European legal framework on sustainable corporate governance, covering due diligence and directors’ duty of care. In response to the Commission’s public consultation, ETF and ITF outlined their demands for mandatory due diligence.
Issues February 2, 2021 Protecting the workers behind online platforms Platform work is challenging existing labour laws and regulations protecting workers. In this new setting, the ETF and its affiliates are fighting to ensure fair working conditions and employee status for platform workers.
News February 2, 2021 #HoldBizAccountable: Workers demand accountability for rights violations Workers are joining the fight to #HoldBizAccountable. Make your voice heard and demand accountability for rights violations and environmental destruction!
News February 1, 2021 ETF pledges full cooperation with European Labour Authority to rid transport of social dumping During a meeting with ELA today, ETF stressed that workers need an active Authority that meets trade union expectations as soon as possible. ELA must become an effective body that fights cross-border fraud via joint inspections, cooperation and exchange of information between the Member States.
Statement January 7, 2021 ETF condemns direct attack on democracy in the U.S. but warns that similar assault could be on the horizon for Europe if we don’t act now The ETF condemns the blatant attack on democracy that took place in the U.S. capitol and urges the EU to act now to deter a similar situation in the future.
Press Release December 9, 2020 EU’s Mobility Strategy must step up its game in shaping socially and environmentally sustainable transport Transport workers are the sector’s “most valuable asset” reads the newly published Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, but proposed initiatives fall short in matching this statement. The ETF reiterates that to fulfil the goals of the Strategy and enable the transition to greener transport, it is essential to address social issues and foster worker engagement.
News December 3, 2020 EU Mobility Strategy – not without transport workers! In its response to the upcoming Strategy for a Sustainable and Smart Mobility, the ETF sets out five key pillars to ensure that future industrial policies for transport combine both employment and climate protection and ensure fundamental change to build an environmental and socially sustainable sector.
News December 2, 2020 ETF affiliates commit to continued Europe-wide fight for fair transport Union responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and a strong recovery that puts social first were at the heart of discussions when ETF affiliates came together online last week.
News November 26, 2020 European trade unions call for more democracy at work The ETUC and ETUFs handed over a petition for more democracy at work to the European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit and MEPs, calling for concrete and rapid actions to guarantee the effective enforcement and compliance of workers’ rights to be informed, consulted and to participate in decision-making before any decision is adopted.
News November 18, 2020 ETF meets with Commissoner Schmit to discuss key issues affecting transport workers ETF met with Commissioner Schmit to discuss key issues affecting transport workers. Livia Spera, ETF General Secretary, extended an invitation to build, together with Commissioner Schmit, a new vision for the future of transport work.
News November 13, 2020 ETF becomes permanent addition to Transport Community’s Social Forum meetings Transport Community’s Social Forum adopted its rules of procedure, and the ETF is now permanently invited to their meetings. A most welcome step forward as the Social Forum is a tool for increased engagement with transport unions in the Western Balkans.
Statement November 9, 2020 Digitalisation & Automation: Passau Declaration on Smart Mobility excludes transport workers and just transition The Declaration promotes the benefits that automation and digitalisation can bring to European transport but leaves out those who will be directly impacted by the implementation of these new technologies: the millions of transport workers that move Europe forward. ETF has written to the Council of the EU, EFTA Secretariat, German Presidency, Permanent Representations of EU Member States to express concerns
News October 14, 2020 Climate Law Proposal: ‘Targets are not enough!’- Introducing ETF’s Policy on Climate Neutral Transport MEPs gave the green light to the new EU emission reduction target for 2030: 60% A good step, but targets are not enough to achieve the transition to climate-neutral transport. We need structural change! Environmental and social sustainability go hand in hand! In its Policy on Climate-Neutral Transport, the ETF lays out six key principles for a socially sustainable climate policy.
News September 25, 2020 ETF’s take on the Digital Services Act: ‘Platform work requires more attention!’ As part of the European Digital Strategy, the European Commission is currently working on the new Digital Services Act. The ETF replied to the consultation, but firmly states that the issue of platform work requires more attention and a specific focus rather than being added to a consultation on another topic.
Event September 24, 2020 Tune in to our first round of ETF Talks on October 7 – Trade Unions Build Back Better! ETF is launching its first round of ETF Talks – Conversations that put social first! First topic? Trade unions build back BETTER!
Statement September 21, 2020 #EU4FairWork – End bogus self-employment! The ETF takes part in the European Commission’s Week of Action to tackle undeclared work by shedding light on the growing issue in various transport sectors – bogus self-employment.
News September 17, 2020 ETF brings transport workers’ voices to the table at social partners’ Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy hearing Yesterday, ETF’s sections made their demands on the future EU mobility strategy loud and clear at the Social Partners’ dedicated hearing. Workers must be at the centre of the strategy if the Commission truly wishes to achieve sustainability in transport.
Issues September 11, 2020 No Automation & Digitalisation without Negotiation! Workers and their unions must be involved in the processes that implement technological developments to ensure that they are fair and that no worker is left behind!
Issues September 11, 2020 Green and Social Transport Social issues and environmental concerns are two sides of the same coin. Fighting social dumping and climate action is one and the same struggle.
News September 10, 2020 Fair recovery: only if we reform transport policies! Taking the floor at a panel discussion at ETUC’s annual European Works Council conference, Livia Spera, General Secretary of European Transport Workers’ Federation denounced the many transport companies taking advantage of the crisis to lower working terms and conditions and disrespecting social dialogue and consultation rights at all levels.
News July 15, 2020 World Youth Skills Day 2020 – Skills for a resilient transport sector! On World Youth Skills Day 2020, the ETF highlights the need for quality training, skills, room for professional development to attract young workers to the transport sector, but above all emphasises the need for decent working conditions!
News July 8, 2020 ETF appeals to Trio Presidency ministers: It’s time for a fair, socially sustainable transport sector! Responding to their Trio Programme, ETF addressed a letter to transport ministers of Germany, Slovenia, and Portugal, urging them to use their presidencies to steer European transport to a fair future.
News June 18, 2020 “Do it!” – EU Recovery Plan must pave the way for fair transport ETF joins the ETUC in calling on the EU Council to speed up payment of EU emergency support for health and protecting incomes and jobs and agree on an EU Jobs Recovery Plan for massive investment & solidarity. For the transport industry, a recovery plan should not be back-to-business-as-before – a policy shift must accompany it!
News June 16, 2020 ETF’s open letter to EU Transport Ministers: “It’s time to shape a fair future transport policy!” In an open letter addressed to the EU’s Transport Ministers, the ETF makes a plea for a transparent, inclusive, and open process to shape up the future transport policy.
Issues August 14, 2018 Megatrends Climate change. Digitalisation and automation. Demographic shifts. Globalisation. The world is changing around us, and so is society. What will this mean for the transport sector and its workers? Our research helps unions prepare to act.