Livia Spera took to the podium with a strong message for delegates and Europe. “We are raising a red card to the European Commission. We can’t build a fairer Europe while transport workers are second class citizens!”

Dockers everywhere deserve safe conditions, decent wages and a voice in automation! That’s exactly what Italian unions were bargaining for, but now national negotiations have broken down. Our Italian affiliates FILT-CGIL, FIT-CISL and UILTRASPORTI have therefore decided to call a 24-hour national port strike.

Our Italian affiliates FILT-CGIL, FIT-CISL, UILTRASPORTI have called a 24-hour strike covering the entire country. We cannot accept that companies exist in a permanent state of crisis with disastrous effects on jobs and working conditions.

On 23-26 May 2019 EU citizens will decide which politicians will represent them and defend their interests at EU level. The ETF is firmly convinced of the need for a better and more social Europe, and we’ve been taking our Fair Transport manifesto to potential MEPs.

ETF’s Deputy General Secretary, Sabine Trier, addressed VSZ’s Congress with a message of solidarity and thanks for the union’s voice in Central and Eastern Europe. She also called on all union members to get out and vote for candidates who support workers in the upcoming EU elections.

Work is place where we have to feel safe and comfortable to be ourselves, but too many workers still face harassment for their sexuality or gender identity. LGBT* rights are workers’ rights, and that makes this a trade union issue. On the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), we commit to step up and do more work on equality issues.