In a joint letter addressed to the government representatives in the UNECE Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP), ETF, ITF and IRU highlight that bus drivers remain at serious risk in frontal crashes. The letter urges the government representatives to work on this issue, including the creation of a dedicated working group as proposed by the Norwegian government.

On 27 May, a major new report titled “Charting the Distinct Rights of Sea Workers in European Waters: A Focus on Decent Working Time” was released by the World Maritime University (WMU) commissioned by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). The study is primarily driven by the differential treatment of sea workers compared with land-based workers, which has resulted in their exclusion from several EU directives and in working and living conditions that fall below general labour standards. The report highlights major gaps between the labour protections afforded to sea workers and those enjoyed by land-based workers across Europe.

The European Commission is preparing a new Aviation Strategy for Europe at a critical moment for the sector. For ETF, this initiative cannot become another exercise focused solely on market liberalisation and competitiveness at the expense of workers. Instead, it must mark a change of course. Years of deregulation, cost-driven competition, and insufficient social safeguards have weakened the sector’s resilience, undermined fair competition, and placed increasing pressure on aviation workers. The new strategy therefore represents an opportunity to correct this trajectory and build an aviation industry that is competitive, sustainable, and socially responsible.

Aviation trade unions in Europe have committed to mobilising in support of over 1,000 Flying Food Group workers at SFO and LAX airports. At this week’s Section meeting, the ETF’s Civil Aviation Section passed a resolution after hearing from FFG workers and their union, UNITE HERE, to support their five-year struggle for a collective bargaining agreement. FFG workers provide catering services to numerous European carriers at LAX and SFO airports and are a critical part of their supply chains.