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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 July 29, 2026

UK public transport unions sound the alarm over lack of toilet access for drivers

Public transport unions in the United Kingdom are raising urgent concerns about the lack of access to toilet facilities for bus and train drivers, a problem that has persisted for years but is now reaching a breaking point. Reports from across the UK show drivers being forced to work entire shifts without guaranteed access to a toilet, leaving them to rely on improvised or unsafe alternatives, including urinating in bottles in their driving cab. Some unions are now considering industrial action to force employers and authorities to act.

News July 2, 2026

ETF railway affiliates visit DAC testing facility in Berlin

On 16 June, ETF railway affiliates visited the Train Testing Lab in Berlin at the invitation of FP5-FDFTO to learn more about the development and deployment of the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC). During the visit, participants observed live demonstrations of DAC testing and received updates on preparations for its installation on pioneer trains and the wider rollout of the technology across the rail freight sector.