Press release: The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) considers the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), published by the European Commission on 30 April 2026, an important exercise to identify critical issues affecting workers in the fisheries sector. However, the report makes one reality painfully clear: prioritising environmental sustainability almost exclusively has not delivered the expected results.

Upon the invitation of the Danube Commission, we participated in the Expert Meeting on the Development of Ports and Port Operations in Ruse (Bulgaria). The ETF was represented by Josef Maurer, Head of Aviation and Maritime, as well as Dencho Denchev from our Bulgarian affiliate FTTUB. We were invited to share the workers’ perspective on the conditions for the acceptance of automation and digitalization by port workers.

May 1st is a hard-won symbol of workers’ struggle, solidarity, and collective power – a day carved out of history where labour stops, and dignity is affirmed. Today, that meaning is under attack in France. At this week’s meeting in Nicosia, the ETF Executive Committee expressed its solidarity with our French affiliates and committed to supporting them in defending this fundamental day for workers.

An ETF quick response to the EC ‘AccelerateEU’ communication: The opening line of the EC communication reads: “For the second time in less than five years, the dangers of Europe’s dependency on fossil fuel imports are becoming abundantly clear.” The ETF couldn’t agree more. However, the AccelerateEU communication appears to be yet another example of the EC having learned too little, too late from the previous energy crisis, particularly as far as EU transport policy is concerned.

The ongoing reform of the European Union’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) performance and charging framework has become a central issue in the debate on aviation sustainability and system resilience. In , we highlighted the need for a more balanced and realistic approach to reform – one that safeguards the operational integrity, financial stability, and workforce of the ATM system while contributing meaningfully to environmental objectives. The ETF continues to caution against reforms that prioritise cost-efficiency and traffic growth at the expense of capacity, staffing, and long-term investment, as such an approach risks weakening the very system it seeks to optimise.