Young dockers at the negotiating table! This year our young dockers from 8 European countries were invited by the ETF and Solidarność to Gdynia in Poland. The main activity was a training workshop and role playing exercise about how to succeed in collective bargaining negotiations. The participants also discussed the recent EU elections, ways to build powerful youth movements, and the role of unions in Poland’s rebellion against dictatorship. Event 7 Jun 2019
ETF Acting General Secretary expresses her support for an ILO Convention on violence & harassment in the world of work Women workers face terrible violence and harrassment – and transport workers are some of the most affected. Today we asked the European Commission and the Romanian EU Presidency to push for an ILO Convention on violence and harassment in the world of work at the centenary ILO Conference next week in Geneva. Statement 5 Jun 2019
Does the recent river cruise accident in Budapest point to structural problems with safety? We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the victims who drowned on the Danube. There is still little clear information, but this is already the 4th accident of the year and the 2019 season is only just getting started. Although we agree that captains carry responsibility for the safety of their passengers and others on the water, we question the tendency to criminalise maritime workers after accidents News 5 Jun 2019
French railway workers are back on the streets to protest against Macron’s risky reforms Four French trade unions organising railway workers have called for a national demonstration in Paris today, as the Macron government pushes ahead with reforms that are bad for passengers and staff. Solidarité à nos collègues! News 4 Jun 2019
Happy Birthday SEV! Our Swiss affiliate celebrates 100 years Our Deputy General Secretary, Sabine Trier, was in Bern to join the Congress of SEV – the Swiss Transport Workers Union. She brought congratulations for SEV’s 100th anniversary, and stressed the need for international solidarity between workers and their unions. News 4 Jun 2019
Our analysis of the European Parliament elections 2019 Voters did not deliver the feared right-wing tsunami…but the new European Parliament is more liberal and green, with a larger nationalist and xenophobic component. We look at the results and see what they will mean for coalition building and our lobbying. News 3 Jun 2019
Social dialogue in UPT: our achievements We work with our social partners to promote the use of public transport, to improve working conditions, and to strengthen women’s representation. Over the years, we’ve developed a number of joint statements, recommendations and positions. Check out our achievements! Info 29 May 2019
ETF supports Dutch transport workers in strike for fair pensions Dutch workers are fighting for the right to enjoy their pension in good time, and without financial worries. As transport workers stand united, there will be no bus, train, tram or metro driving that day in the Netherlands. News 28 May 2019
Mixed results in European Parliament elections: Workers urgently need a progressive alliance Worker-friendly parties have not suffered the disaster that was predicted, but the new European Parliament will require brave and creative coalitions. Now the EU must deliver a concrete and progressive response to voters’ social concerns. That is the only way to see off the populists and the far-right. News 27 May 2019