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Social Dialogue

2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the IWT Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee although we must admit that dialogue was not always an option and many years were left unused.

The European Social Partners, ETF together with its employers’ counterparts EBU (European Barge Union) and ESO (European Skippers’ Organisation) are the representative spokes bodies for the European Inland Waterways sector.

ETF affiliates organising members in the Inland Waterways sector participate in the social dialogue at European level.

The 2018-2019 work programme addresses following issues:

  • The development of a unique time registration format and template for individual crewmembers’ working and resting times
  • The harmonisation and modernisation of professional qualifications for all functions in IWT EU wide
  • Uniform rules to coordinate appliance of social security legislation
  • Definition of a full time employment in passenger transport
  • Development of policy guidelines in order o overcome the gender pay gap.

The full text of the IWT Social Dialogue Committee Workplan 2018-2019 can be downloaded.

Of course the European Social Partners dedicate ample time to monitoring the correct implementation of European legislation such as the Working Time Directive and the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, as well as other horizontal European initiatives that might impact on the workers in the sector.

In April 2018 ETF, EBU and ESO adopted a joint declaration on the elimination of violence against women and LGTBQI workers in the workplace after the 2017 ETF Study on workplace violence against women transport workers clearly revealed that women working in the sector are subject to high levels of abuse, threats, intimidation and offensive behaviour.  This study was the first in its kind and is based on survey responses from more than 1.400 women transport workers from across Europe.  The IWT Social Partners clearly expressed their solid commitment to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and LGTBQI workers in the sector.  The summary and the supplementary report can be downloaded.

In Focus

Latest news about social dialogue in inland waterways

Statement March 26, 2020

Social partners voice their disapproval of CBER prolongation in a letter to von der Leyen

In response to the recent CBER prolongation, social partners sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, expressing their disapproval of the decision pointing to the negative consequences of this action. The decision was not subject to a proper prior evaluation of effects and will likely have detrimental effects on many companies and workers of the logistics and supply chains in the EU.

News March 19, 2020

COVID-19: A call for social dialogue in Inland Waterways

This morning, European Barge Union released a statement, calling for the free movement of vessels and crew members, as well as flexibility in the application of the working time directive crewing regulations. On top of that, they propose the elimination of penalties in cases where these regulations are not respected.
In response, we sent out a letter to EBU and ESO, emphasising the need for social dialogue in Inland Waterways in these difficult times.

News November 12, 2019

First CBA in the River Cruise Sector – smooth sailing ahead?

ETF welcomes the CBA and acknowledges it as a first step in the right direction. Further positive changes are on their way as on November 7, the official negotiations for a European-wide agreement between IG River Cruise, European Barge Union (EBU) and ETF commenced.  European Social Partners hope to reach a meaningful agreement by Autumn 2020.

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