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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

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News April 8, 2026

ETF stands with railway workers after fatal TGV accident

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.

News April 8, 2026

Vacancy: traineeship for railways

Job opportunity: we are looking for a trainee in Railways at the European Transport Workers’ Federation!

Are you passionate about railways, EU policy and workers’ rights? Here’s a chance to gain hands-on experience in the railway sector with a leading European organisation representing over 5 million transport workers across 38 countries.

News March 6, 2026

Safety Must be the foundation of Europe’s Railway future

On 4 March 2026, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) Rail Section, along with Vida (Austria) and AK Europa, gathered key stakeholders at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU for a high-level lunch discussion on “Improving Rail Safety”. The event brought together a broad range of participants, including trade unionists, policy experts from the European Commission (DG MOVE), representatives of the European Parliament, and attachés. Our goal was to discuss a fundamental premise: rail safety is not a technical abstraction. It is directly linked to the working conditions of those who keep Europe moving.