News May 21, 2025
As flight numbers surge, the system designed to keep Europe’s skies safe is under growing strain. EU policies continue to demand more with less — putting safety, sustainability, and workers’ wellbeing in jeopardy.
Statement May 16, 2025
No one should fear being themselves at work—but for too many LGBTIQ+ people in Europe, that fear is still a daily reality. Nearly 1 in 5 report discrimination at work. Trade unions must take action. We demand safe, inclusive workplaces and strong EU-wide laws that truly protect everyone—on the job, in schools, and beyond. It’s time to move from promises to protection.
Statement May 14, 2025
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.
News May 12, 2025
ETF and Europêche urge the Commission to adopt a socially inclusive, future-proof MFF that recognises the strategic role of fishers in ensuring food security, sustainable coastal development, and resilience across Europe’s maritime regions.
News May 8, 2025
The ETF co-signed a letter with the IRU voicing once again concerns about the lack of complete information on remuneration levels in the EU Member States. This prevents drivers from checking whether they have been paid correctly for the full range of their activities and prevents trade unions from supporting drivers’ pay claims.
News May 7, 2025
To better understand the violent realities women transport workers face and to push for real change, the ETF Women’s Committee has launched a new survey: “Violence and harassment against women transport workers.” The aim is to collect testimonies directly from women working in all areas of the transport sector. Fill it in! It’s quick and available in 9 languages!
News May 6, 2025
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.
News May 5, 2025
One clear takeaway from the conference was the united call for stronger enforcement of the Mobility Package. The participants, including trade unions, employers, labour authorities demanded not only improved tools and resources for enforcement, but also proper support for trade unions, which play a key role in flagging violations and offering expertise on workers’ rights.
News
The rise of far-right ideologies has worsened institutionalised discrimination, creating toxic anti-LGBTQI+ narratives and policies that threaten the lives of marginalized groups. ETF is committed to combating these divisive, populist narratives and ensuring that trade unions play a pivotal role in supporting equality and inclusivity, especially for those who face harassment in the workplace based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other aspects of identity.
Publication
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 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
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.
