In Summary
All eyes are on rail transport as one of the most sustainable modes of transport to help Europe achieve the necessary climate targets. However, the push for liberalisation we have witnessed in the last decades has not helped the sector nor its workers. The ETF railway section intends to strive for a socially sustainable sector, with adequate public funding, attractive working conditions and a safe work environment for all workers.
Our priorities for 2022 – 2027 are:
- Promoting public railways
- Safety and security on European railways;
- Attracting young and female workers to the rail industry to face the demographic challenge. This can only be achieved by providing good working conditions and wages for all workers in the sector;
- Digitalisation and Automation: A just transition, workers’ involvement in developing and introducing new technologies and adequate (re-)training schemes;
- Social dialogue: Achieving binding results with our social partner, CER, that effectively improve the working conditions of railway workers and making sure previous agreements are implemented and respected.
Latest news on railways
View allETF Calls for Urgent Inclusion of Railway Workers in Brenner Corridor Platform’s Planning
Despite repeated written requests for involvement and offers of talks from the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the BCP has shown no interest in including those who will be working on the railway every day in its discussions. Offering social partners only written exchanges or retrospective information is insufficient. This approach fails to provide the urgently needed transparency and social dialogue.
ETF’s Train Drivers Call for Time-Monitoring Tool on World Day for Safety and Health at Work
As the rail system becomes ever more fragmented and cross-border operations continue to grow, national authorities are unable to track whether drivers are adhering to essential safety-related time limits — particularly those who work across multiple countries or for more than one employer. This lack of oversight endangers not only workers’ well-being but also the safety of the entire rail network.
Railways: ETF Affiliates Make Workers’ Voices Heard in Brussels
Railway workers and policymakers gathered in Brussels for “From the Tracks to Brussels”, a high-level dialogue hosted by ETF. The event brought together rail workers, trade union leaders, and EU decision-makers to discuss the future of Europe’s rail sector and the need for sustainable, socially responsible policies. Speakers from the European Commission, the EU Parliament, experts and union leaders discussed the Railways sector and the current struggles of its workers across the continent.