News August 18, 2025 European Trade Unions call for more decisive and principled action by the European Union on Gaza Together with other European trade unionists committed to justice, human rights, and international law, we wrote to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas today regarding the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing actions of the Israeli Government.
News August 12, 2025 Enter Air Workers Join TOZPLiN – A Stronger Voice for Aviation in Poland The ETF warmly welcomes the decision of Enter Air employees to join the NSZZ “Solidarność” Aviation and Ground Personnel Union (TOZPLiN). TOZPLiN, an established and active part of the ETF family, now gains new members from one of the largest charter airlines in the European Union. This marks a major step forward for social dialogue in Polish aviation and a proud moment for all of us who believe in worker unity and collective strength.
News August 1, 2025 Abandoned and Unpaid: Six Ukrainian Crew Members Stranded on Ships in Serbia A deeply troubling case of labor rights violations is unfolding on the Danube River in Novi Sad, Serbia. Six Ukrainian crew members remain stranded aboard four inland vessels, reportedly without wages, employment contracts, or adequate living conditions for over a year. Based on information received from workers and local union representatives, each crew member is allegedly owed between €6,000 and €15,000 – with total unpaid wages estimated to exceed €100,000.
News July 30, 2025 ETF welcomes Danish state aid for sustainable aviation fuels The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) welcomes the recent decision by the European Commission to approve a €36 million Danish state aid scheme to support the uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This funding will be used to green domestic aviation operations in Denmark, significantly exceeding the minimum SAF use requirements set by the European Parliament. We support the Commission’s conclusion that state aid for decarbonising aviation is necessary, effective, and proportionate.
News July 29, 2025 ETF demands a reform of the EU’s ATM Performance Scheme Every summer, Europe’s air traffic management system struggles to deal with the increase of air traffic. ATM workers know that the main reason for this is the unfit ATM Performance Scheme brought by the EU on national ATM providers. While we acknowledge the need for such a EU-wide scheme, we need deep changes in the one we have! In a new position paper, we present the main shortcomings of the current scheme and innovating ideas to reform it.
Statement July 28, 2025 ETF solidarity statement on the Baden-Württemberg train accident As investigations into the cause of this accident continue, the ETF reaffirms our unwavering commitment to railway safety and the protection of both transport workers and passengers. Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of their shift, and every passenger deserves safe and secure transport.
News July 18, 2025 Letter to Commissioner Tzitzikostas: Aviation workers on flight delays and cancellations Today, ETF sent a letter to the European Commissioner for Transport, Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Aviation workers in Europe are raising their voice regarding why summer flight delays and cancellations happen, and what is usually left out of the blame game we hear every summer. In this letter, we explained that through the current ATM Performance Scheme the European Commission is establishing cost-efficiency targets that effectively pressure air navigation service providers to cut costs on recruitment of staff.
Statement July 17, 2025 Labour Shortage – Quality Jobs and Strong Unions Are Crucial Labour shortages are a significant topic in European policy discussions. Despite over 13 million people being unemployed in the EU, key sectors such as transport are facing acute labour shortages. The EU’s current focus on competitiveness—through cost reduction and deregulation – leans heavily toward corporate interests, paving the way for austerity policies that unfairly impact workers. Instead, the EU must prioritise improving job quality to meet evolving demands and safeguard working conditions.
page Summer Delays and Cancellations: Aviation Workers’ Perspective Summer is here – and so is a sharp increase in air traffic. Yet again, we see a rise in flight delays and cancellations due to the structural limitations of the European aviation system. Air traffic management (ATM), in particular, is put in the spotlight, deprived of resources to ensure fluid and punctual operations without compromising on the necessary levels of safety. Meanwhile, airlines and institutions have started their usual blame game.
Publication EU Land Transport Labour Market: A Critical Examination of Trends and Policy Implications Two years ago, the ETF launched a project to look in more detail at the roots of the above trends. Three reports – on road, rail and urban public transport were developed within the frame of the project to cast light on how liberalisation and market-opening policies led to undesirable effects that put at stake the very goals and objectives set by the same policymakers.
Statement The big EU deregulation: ETF Joins over 360 organisations in a Joint Statement on the Omnibus Package The publication by the European Commission of its Omnibus proposal revising key corporate sustainability laws sends a clear political signal: President Ursula von der Leyen is deprioritising human rights, workers’ rights and environmental protections for the sake of dangerous deregulation. ETF joined over 360 organisations in a joint statement calling out on the consequences of this package.
News Giorgio Tuti Elected New ETF President Belgian trade union leader Frank Moreels stepped down from his function of ETF President, in view of his upcoming role as President of the ITF. A Swiss national, Giorgio Tuti has been a high-profile unionist in the trade union movement since 1988. He served as President of the Swiss Transport Workers’ Union (SEV) for 14 years, from 2009 to 2023 and has been Vice-Chair of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation since 2009. Tuti has been chairing the ETF Railways Section since 2017.