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Social Dialogue

ETF is the recognised social partner for the railway sector representing railway workers. Together with the railway employers – European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) – we form the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Railways.

Our common goal is to make sure that Europe implements a Single European Railway Area where workers enjoy decent working conditions and where their social rights are respected. At the same time, through social dialogue and the consultation obligations of the European Commission, we are able to react to new developments in the railway sector and exchange views on current challenges with all parties concerned.

The main topics in our current work programme for 2021-2022 are:

The employment of women in the railway sector
Ensuring railway safety through qualification requirements for safety-relevant staff and the monitoring of driving times
Employability sector in the light of digitalisation and automation

We make progress on these topics through projects we run together with our social partners; by developing joint recommendations and agreements; or by participating in joint working groups.

In Focus

Info

Social Dialogue in Rail: our achievements

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Rail Mobile Workers – Joint Conclusions (July 2019)

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Joint statement of CER and ETF on Mobility Package (June 2018)

News about social dialogue in railways

Press Release November 5, 2021

Women in Rail Agreement signed and ready for implementation

ETF and CER have officially signed the Women in Rail autonomous agreement aimed at promoting employment of women in the sector, marking its entry into force.

Press Release July 1, 2021

Women in Rail – Provisional EU Social Partner Agreement reached

Social partners ETF and CER reached a provisional agreement in the final round of negotiations at EU level for a binding agreement aimed at promoting employment of women in the sector.

Press Release May 18, 2021

Women in Rail – EU-level negotiations between social partners resume

Today, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), representing employees, and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), representing railway sector employers, resumed negotiations at EU-level for a binding agreement aimed at promoting women’s employment in the sector.