The European Transport Workers’ Federation expresses its total solidarity with French affiliates striking today (September 18th) against the French government’s proposed austerity budget. Once again, working people are being forced to pay the price of the government’s own mismanagement. The removal of two days of public holidays, more cuts to public services, freezing of social benefits and public sector pay, among many other questionable measures, will hurt the well-being of French workers and will not lead to lower debt.

For two years, unions from Austria, Italy, and Germany (under the umbrella of the ETF) have consistently called for meaningful involvement in the Brenner Corridor Platform (BCP). Despite being a recognised European social partner in the railway sector, ETF has been denied access to critical discussions, including those on rest areas, operational language and safety protocols.

The ETF has joined 470 civil society organisations, trade unions, and public interest groups in sounding the alarm over the European Commission’s plans to dismantle essential protections for people and the planet. Ahead of President von der Leyen’s State of the Union address, we have made clear that our rights and protections cannot be sold for profit.

Over 10,000 London Underground staff are on strike this week to demand better pay and safer conditions. In a separate dispute, workers operating the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and outsourced cleaners on the DLR are also on strike. The European Transport Workers’ Federation stands in solidarity with the essential transport workers that keep London moving and their union, ETF affiliate RMT.

This is a moment of profound grief for the families affected, for the city of Lisbon, and for all transport workers across Europe. The Elevador da Glória is not only a symbol of Lisbon’s heritage. It is a workplace. And this tragedy reminds us, in the most painful way, that safety in public transport must never be compromised.