This research report from 2008 examines the increase in managerial and professional staff in the transport sector. What roles do they occupy? How is their relationship with their employers? What can trade unions do to engage them?

ETF guidelines for the transfer of ground handling staff

Final report of the EU-funded project called “Enhancing Recruitment and Training in the European Shipping Industry”.

The final report of the EU-funded project “Enhancing Recruitment and Training in the European Shipping Industry” served as a basis for adopting a related ETF policy on training and recruitment in the Maritime industry.

This EU-funded project produced training materials to prevent bullying and harassment in the shipping industry: a workbook and guidelines to shipping companies.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) rejects major parts of the fourth Railway Package adopted by the European Commission today, Wednesday
30 January 2013. In particular, the ETF denounces the introduction of compulsory competitive tendering for all rail public passenger transport services and the liberalisation of all other domestic rail passenger services, the so-called open access competition. The ETF decisively rejects as well the total separation of
infrastructure management and operations.

On 1 February 2013 the ETF and IDC met in Brussels to discuss the latest developments on EU ports policy as well as the critical situations of Spain, Greece and Portugal.

On 8 February, European leaders finally reached an agreement on the EU budget for the next seven years. With a cut of one third in the 32 billion EUR initially foreseen for transport infrastructure projects, transport does not appear to be considered a priority sector in the next budget.

Today, Tuesday 30 April 2013, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) announced that Air Traffic Management (ATM) employees are mobilising for a European Action Day on 12 June 2013 to demand the establishment of a fair, cooperative and social Single European Sky (SES). Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) and the entire ATM staff will hold parallel walkouts, rallies, meetings and strikes across Europe calling on the European Commission to stop a never ending process of liberalisation, deregulation and cost cutting in the ATM industry.

Today, Wednesday 19 June 2013, the formal inauguration of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) for the Port sector takes place in the Métropole Hotel in Brussels. It marks the end of 15 years of pushing for its establishment by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) that is already represented in six SSDCs. ETF Chair for the Dockers’ Section, Terje Samuelsen, states: “We look forward to contributing to a body in which both parties, notwithstanding their different views, are ready to engage in open and meaningful debates to improve the working conditions of our port workers.”

The safety of millions of European air passengers will be subject to a decisive vote in the European Parliament (EP), in one week’s time (30 Sept.). At stake are new rules for EU-wide Flight Time Limitations (FTL) for pilots and cabin crew, which the EP Transport Committee will decide upon. The new rules, proposed by the EU Commission, have been widely criticized as “unsafe” and not scientifically-based. Pilots and cabin crew, who in January staged ‘walkouts’ across Europe to warn about the dangers of aircrew fatigue, consider this proposal unacceptable and call for its rejection by the European Parliament.

European pilots and cabin crew welcome today’s decision of the EU Parliament Transport Committee to reject the Commission proposal for new flight time rules in Europe. With a large majority of 21 to 13 votes, the EP Members voted for the rejection of the proposal which contains several significant safety loopholes. The vote sends a clear signal to the Commission to come up with an improved safe and science-based text that ensures passenger safety is safeguarded.

After a firm rejection in the EU Parliament Transport Committee, the flawed EU Commission proposal for Flight Time rules for pilots and cabin crew will be put to a vote at the next EP Plenary meeting. On 9 October mid-day, a vote by all Parliament Members in Strasbourg will determine whether the safety loopholes contained in that proposal will become official EU wide legislation and allow air crew to be landing after 22 hours awake, or flying 11-12hrs30
through the night.

Members of the press are cordially invited to follow the demonstration organised by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and its affiliated trade union organisations on Monday 14 October 2013 from 13.00 to 15.00 at “Place du Luxembourg” in Brussels. Approximately 200 air traffic management employee’s delegates from all over Europe will gather in Brussels in front of the European Parliament. There will be an opportunity to interview delegates from the ETF affiliates present. Some of them will attend the meeting of the European Parliament Transport Committee.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 9 October 2013, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) organises a European Action Day calling the Members of the
European Parliament to take the unions’ concerns with regard to the 4th Railway Package seriously. On 26 November, the Transport and Tourism
Committee (TRAN) of the European Parliament is expected to vote on this Package. ETF affiliates from several European countries plan to organise
national actions in view of the Parliament vote. The ETF rejects further liberalisation and fragmentation in the sector and wants to remind the policy makers that railway services are first and foremost public services. The quality of such services depends on the quality of the jobs and further liberalisation will inevitably jeopardize this.

Today, Monday 14 October 2013, over 200 air traffic management (ATM) staff delegates from across Europe demonstrate in front of the European Parliament in
Brussels, following the call of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).They protest to express their disagreement with the new package on the
Single European Sky (SES), called SES2+, adopted last June by the European Commission. They call the European Parliament to stop dogmatic liberalisation of
the ATM industry. They say “Enough is enough” and “No” to a SES that jeopardizes jobs in Europe.

Today, Tuesday 17 December 2013, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) announced that Air Traffic Management (ATM) employees are mobilising for a new European Action Day on 30 January 2014 to demand the establishment of a fair, cooperative and social Single European Sky (SES). Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and the entire ATM staff will hold parallel walkouts, rallies, meetings and strikes across Europe calling on the European Parliament to stop a never ending process of liberalisation and cost cutting in the ATM industry.

Joint ETF and IDC-E solidarity campaign in support of Portuguese port workers

The ETF statement on the new Regulation concerning flight time regulations.

Statement of the EU social partners in Sea Fishing in support of the right that social partners’ agreements are made legally binding.

The EP failed to give a clear signal against further rail liberalisation and fragmentation

Joint Press Release – Campaign: Enough of their Crisis Back to our Future

It is with the deepest sadness we have learnt that our comrade Bob Crow has passed away , Tuesday 11 March.

European Parliament endorses commission’s low-cost approach to ATM

010414_Report from the General Secretary June 2013 – Feb 2014

Shipowners and Seafarers’ representatives call for continued efforts in combating piracy in East Africa & request the EU to liaise with regional States to ensure safe navigation in West Africa.

ETF fully supports the Parat industrial action in ‘Norwegian’

European Commission sponsoring Low Cost Airlines!

Europe must stop social dumping and flags of convenience in civil aviation

Joint Declaration against EU-based Flags of Convenience in Aviation

Youth Guarantee fails to fulfil its promises

EU Parliament Youth Resolution is a step, not a solution

ETF invites the ITF Congress participants to attend a workshop on the evolution of labour in aviation.

Organising cross-border truckers: Bulgarian and Romanian unions organise truck drivers across Europe

ETF Position Paper_Mid-term review of the EU Maritime Transport Policy (Athens Declaration)

More Secure Employment and Decent Jobs.
Stop precarious work in Europe!

After difficult negotiations, the Finnish Cabin Crew Union (SLSY) and the management of Finnair reached an agreement on Saturday 4 October. The union received a two-year protection from redundancies and no more jobs will be outsourced for the next four years. In return, the union agreed with measures that will bring the company annual savings of 18 million EUR.

Report of the Danish Aviation Council’s working group concerning “social dumping in aviation”

EU Sectoral Social Dialogue on Ports 2014

Evolution of the Labour Market in the Airline Industry due to the Development of the Low Fares Airlines (LFAs)

Report from the General Secretary March 2014 – November 2014

Joint Declaration of U.S. and European Transportation Unions in Opposition To Norwegian Air International Flag of Convenience Scheme November 24, 2014

A Manifesto setting out the ETF’s vision for a socially sustainable shipping sector in Europe

Solidarity message following the attack on Charlie Hebdo

Following the meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Maritime Transport in October 2014, the Social Partners for Maritime Transport ECSA and ETF acknowledged the need to draw shipping companies’ and seafarers’ attention to the risks from the Ebola virus. At the same time they underlined the need to provide crew members onboard ships calling at ports in affected countries with relevant guidance.

ETF statement on minimum wage in Germany

On 2 February 2015, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) published their second annual report on the development of women employment in the rail sector in Europe. The results show that the average share of women working in the rail is increasing and currently stands at around 20%.

ETF note on minimum wage and German provisions

ETF and Euro Contrôle Route enter formal cooperation.

The declaration of intent and the work plan the two organisations committed to can be found here

Tug conference declaration

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) today welcomed the decision of Romania’s
Ilfov court to order the reinstatement of an unfairly dismissed trade union leader. The court decided on 19 March 2015 that the dismissal of the president
of Sindicatul Aerolimit (the cabin crew union at Wizz Air’s base in Bucharest) was illegal and the company has to reinstate him. In addition, Wizz Air is liable
to pay compensation equal to his salary.

On 1 April, the Employment Committee of the European Parliament (EP) endorsed the report of Rapporteur Morin-Chartier (EPP, France), which puts forward
amendments to the Commission’s proposal aiming at including seafarers in the existing directives on information and consultation, European Works’ Councils,
transfer of undertakings, collective redundancies and employer insolvency.

Please find below the annexes to the Press Release – Shipping Industry General Letter to EU Heads of State.

Please find below the attachment to the Press Release – Philippines workers human rights violating giant in spotlight of annual fair.

At the occasion of the ETF Urban Public Transport Committee meeting on 21 April 2015 in Brussels, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and IndustriAll European Trade Union have issued their joint declaration, calling for high standards for the urban bus drivers’ workplace.

Executive Summary:

ETF response to the Public consultation on the Mid-term review of the EU Maritime Transport Strategy.

The Press Release issued at this occasion together with more information about this initiative.

Following the adoption of the Council’s General Approach in December 2014 and the adoption of the European Parliament’s Employment Committee position in April 2015, both EU Institutions met with the European Commission in trialogue on 6 May and reached an agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on seafarers’ exclusions. A compromise text for a new directive to increase protection of seafarers’ labour rights was confirmed by the Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper).

ETF urges European Council to take up its responsibility in the mediterranean migration and asylum crisis

Report from the General Secretary n. 11

On 19 May 2015 the European Commission (EC) announced it would open infringement procedures against Germany on the application of the minimum wage to transport. The respective EC press communication offers indications that the European institution is ready to give up some of the Community rules – i.e. Directive 96/71/EC on Posting of Workers – for the sake and benefit of free movement of services and goods. The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) notes with surprise that, according to the Commission’s communication, the German minimum wage would not apply to “certain international transport operations”.

On Friday 29 May 2015, in the frame of the European Maritime Day, Europêche1, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF2) and the European Boating Industry, organised with the support of the European Commission a workshop attended by Member of European Parliament Sofia Ribeiro (Employment Committee), representatives from the European Commission and key maritime stakeholders. Discussions took place to adequately address the problems faced by the fishing and boating industries in Europe, owing to the lack of recognition of qualifications of personnel on fishing and small commercial vessels.

A full copy of the joint ECSA/ETF position paper can be downloaded below.

On June 16th, 2015, Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc met with the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF), the Federation of European Private Port Operators (FEPORT) and the International Dockers’ Council (IDC), to discuss the achievements, current work, priorities and expectations of the Sectoral Social dialogue Committee for ports and listen to Commissioner Bulc’s priorities regarding the port sector.

Today 1 July 2015, the Danish Labour Court ruled that Ryanair has to engage in collective bargaining with trade unions within five days and that the Flight Personnel Union (FPU), affiliated to the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), can legally enter into an industrial conflict with Ryanair. This means that a primary industrial action can come into force on Monday at midnight and a variety of secondary actions in the airport can be initiated, such as no refueling of airplanes, no baggage loading etc.

Today 8 July 2015, the European Parliament’s (EP) Plenary session adopted the agreement reached in trialogue with the Council of the EU last May, on the European Commission’s proposal for a Directive on seafarers. This adoption marks the end of a very long process, which started some eight years ago and which had opposed shipowners to trade unions for many years.

After the recent court rulings and the decision of the Romanian National Council for Combating Discrimination, the cabin crew union Sindicatul Aerolimit Professional (SAP) scored another important victory in their fight for workers’ rights: on 16 July 2015, the court has ordered the reinstatement of the cabin crew members dismissed by Wizz Air in the aftermath of setting up a trade union.

European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) joint answer to the public consultation on an ‘EU Ecolabel for fishery & aquaculture products’

Inland Waterways social partners sent this joint letter to the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR) about practical tests on simulator or on board in August 2015.

Brussels, 15 September 2015 – The European Social Partners in road transport, IRU and ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation), have renewed their call for a level playing field in the taxi and hire-car with driver sector. Fair competition is essential for supporting innovation and ensuring high service quality to customers, good working conditions, and competitiveness in the public transport chain.

Tug Committee declaration on tariffs (September 2015)

On Monday 28 September, a group of European citizens, transport workers and union members launched a new European Citizens’ Initiative called “Fair Transport Europe”. “Fair Transport Europe” calls on the European Commission (EC) to propose measures for ensuring fair competition in transport and to guarantee equal treatment of workers.

The Lloyd’s List Global Award for Seafarer of the Year, usually reserved for individual seafarers who have shown bravery and leadership in the line of duty, was this year presented to all of the world’s seafarers (and their shipping company employers) in recognition of their collective efforts to rescue thousands of migrants’ from the Mediterranean throughout a continuing crisis which shows little sign of ending.

ETF/ITF affiliates representing workers in tug and towage operations met in London on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th September 2015.  Representatives of 20 member organisations from 11 countries discussed the impact of global maritime business model shifts.

Shipping Industry General Letter to EU Heads of State concerning humanitarian crisis in mediterranean sea

EU Transport Ministers partly reinstall the freedom of choice for the organization of rail public transport services but failed to give more social protection for public transport workers exposed to social dumping threats in competitive tendering ETF comments the today adopted Common Approach of EU Transport Ministers on the political pillar of the 4th Railway Package.

EESC Opinion on Social dumping in the European civil aviation sector

On Wednesday 21 October 2015, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) organises in cooperation with the S&D Group a seminar addressing the
urgent need to promote the recruitment and retention of skilled European based seafarers. The event, attended by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)
and representatives from the European Institutions, workers’ organisations and the World Maritime University, aims to draw up a social agenda to make European
shipping a sector that provides EU-based maritime employment and know-how.

ETF Statement on Air France’s dismissal plans

10 proposals to make tomorrow’s maritime transport sector a generator of wealth and EU-based jobs

On the 27th of October the ETF presents in Brussels its campaign to keep train crew on trains. Actions will be taken by the ETF affiliates at national level on the 29th of October and trade unions from Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have confirmed initiatives for that date.

Today, 29 October, following the call of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), railway unions from across Europe organised actions to inform passengers about the tasks of staff on board of trains. Trade union members distributed flyers to passengers on-board of trains and in stations, press conferences were set up to inform the wider public and the management of railway companies were addressed with specific motions, informing them about the actions and the unions’ claims.

Today the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) presented their recently adopted Joint Declaration on Rail Freight on the occasion of the 2nd European Rail Freight Day, in Vienna. Signed by CER Executive Director Libor Lochman, ETF Deputy General Secretary Sabine Trier, and the President and Vice-President of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue for Railways, Matthias Rohrmann (CER) and Guy Greivelding (ETF), the document presents proposals for measures to be adopted as part of a ‘fairness and growth plan for rail freight in Europe’.

On Monday 7 December 2015, the European Commission (EC) presented its long-awaited Aviation strategy for Europe. The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the largest European workers’ representative in civil aviation, agrees on the urgency for a comprehensive strategy integrating social aspects, safety and security, as well as measures to restore fair competition. However, the ETF is dissatisfied by the lack of binding legislative proposals and
actions in the social field in the Commission strategy.

ETF response to the Commission’s Aviation strategy for Europe

Please find attached 12th Report from the General Secretary, giving you an overview of ETF’s horizontal and sectoral work for the period June-December 2015

The European Social Partners in the Air Traffic Management domain have agreed on a Toolbox for successful social dialogue. The aim of this document is to increase the quality of social dialogue and reduce the risk of conflicts. The document has been formally adopted by the Social Dialogue ATM Working Group.

The ETF and the UITP call upon the European institutions to take as a priority the development of sustainable urban mobility and to support the modal shift towards cleaner, more efficient, safer, public mass transportation modes.

Public transport should be an integral part of any urban development agenda and local authorities should be empowered to successfully carry out integrated urban strategies that cover public transportation but also housing, education, culture, tourism and employment policies.

In this context, UITP and ETF strongly emphasise the responsibility of all levels of government, including the European level, to ensure quality in public transport and thus quality working conditions, the provision of appropriate financing as well as a close cooperation among employers, employees and trade unions to pursue and achieve common objectives.

You can download the ETF-UITP joint statement in English, French and German.

This report was prepared at the request of 3F Transport and the Danish Transport and Logistics Association (DTL) and with support from the Danish Working
Environment Authority’s fund for activities relating to social dumping and foreign labour.

The Report from the General Secretary, covering the period January-May 2016.

Please find below the ETF Executive Committee resolution on the dismissal of Dalibor Petrovic.

On behalf of more than 3.5 million transport workers from 41 European countries and over 230 trade unions, I want to express solidarity with the Turkish population, the Turkish ETF affiliates and all those directly and indirectly affected by the terrorist attacks in Istanbul on Tuesday evening 28 June 2016.

In Solidarity,

Eduardo Chagas

On 16 June 2016 the European Commission announced its plans to undertake legal action against France and Germany for their minimum wage legislation in the road transport sector.

The full text of the declaration can be downloaded below.

It is with deep regret that we have learnt about the horrible attack on Thursday evening 14 July in Nice where more than 80 people have lost their lives.

The ETF family joins the European and international trade union movement in conveying its condolences to all those hit by this unfathomable act of random violence. Our thoughts are with their loved ones, relatives, friends and colleagues.

Please find below the common statement, including the list of signatory parties.

The full text of the new ETF set of proposals.

Please find below:

•A statement from a member of the ETF Swiss affiliate “Nautilus International” who had worked together with one of the crew members who died in the accident (in German and English)

•The letter sent by the ETF General Secretary to the ETF IWT Section members

•Online articles about the fatal accident of the 11st of September with pictures:

oFrom br.de website (in German);

oFrom gcaptain website (in English);

oFrom Telegraph website (in English);

oFrom Dailymail website (in English).

The report from the General Secretary from June 2016 – September 2016.

“Your safety and comfort are our priority”

A Social Partners Agreement transposing into EU law the amendments adopted in 2014 in the framework of the International Labour Organisation to the Maritime Labour Convention

The document ennumerates major risks of drones operations, such as collission, human factor, terrorist attacks, cybersecurity and third party risks. It further calls for a robust regulatory framework including categorisation of drones, pilot licenses for drones, training, registration, hardware requirements and airspace separation. Please find below the text.

You can download the joint ETUFs letter, signed by the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade unions (EFFAT), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ/FEJ), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE/CSEE), the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (FETFBB/EFBWW), the European Federation for Industry and Manufacturing workers (IndustriAll), the European trade union federation for services and communication (UNI Europa) and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) below.

A guide of the the existing EU programmes in the field of apprenticeship and training to promote maritime professions

A report of the existing EU legislation on Health and & Safety which applies to maritime transport and the compilation of best practices/initiatives taken by Member States and the industry to meet and possibly go beyond regulatory requirements

In reaction ATCEUC and ETF have issued a joint statement, which you can download below.

The cross-sectoral international approach ensured a coverage of the different experiences in different realities and conditions, thus mobilising an interest among young workers. You can download the booklet below in English, French, German and Italian which was created by the young unionists themselves.

Materials from the Seafarers Matter Conference held in Brussels on 28 February 2017.

Please find below the report from the General Secretary, October 2016 – February 2017.

Please find attached the solidarity message following the terrorist attack in London.

See the ETF Warsaw declaration below in English, German and French.

Download the ETF – FEVR joint statement below.

Read the full text of the preliminary statement here.

Read statement under below.

Read the statement below.

The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation) today warned that Ryanair’s business model of outsourcing and the rejection of staff requests for better conditions and union representation is putting the airline’s future in doubt.

The ITF revealed that, following the defeat for Ryanair/Crewlink at the European Court of Justice last week, it has been approached by a number of investors who are concerned by analysts’ estimates that compliance with the judgement will increase Ryanair’s labour costs by up to 20 percent – leading them to question the sustainability of its aggressive and cost-cutting business model.

ITF general secretary Steve Cotton explained: “Ryanair is at a crisis point, facing a triple whammy of being taken to task by the ECJ, having mismanaged its flight time obligations, and lost consumer and staff confidence.

“These aren’t random misfortunes. For years representative bodies, including our own affiliated unions, have called for improvements – from union recognition to improvements in pay and conditions. Instead the airline has stuck with a stubbornly single-minded business model that operates in the margins, leaving no room for compliance with, among other things, flight time and leave entitlements for all crew.

“That outsourcing model – which is typical of the kind of forced precarious working that is increasingly being successfully challenged in the world’s courts – is now leading analysts to question the sustainability of these employment practices.”

Oliver Richardson, chair of the ITF’s civil aviation section and national officer at Unite the Union, commented: “The truth is that when the business was on the way up shareholders were happy to believe the model was sustainable. Ryanair’s control of the release of information around compliance risks also reduced shareholders’ ability to hold the board to account on employment matters and impact on broader corporate governance. Those days are now over.”

“”Put simply, it’s time for Ryanair to reform. Shareholders face significant risk, passengers are angry, and workers have had enough. The emergence this week of a more coordinated approach from workers will expedite access to improvements. The ITF will work with our unions to secure this.”

Eduardo Chagas, general secretary of the ETF, added: “Offering small allowances and knee jerk pay awards, while at the same time continuing with an aggressive management style, is not going to get Ryanair’s management out of the hole that it has dug for itself. Ryanair has no choice but to adopt a new and consultative business model. The fact that Ryanair operates in the European Union should imply that basic labour rights are granted to all Ryanair workers.”

For more information please contact:

European Transport Workers’ Federation
Rue du Marché aux Herbes 105, Boîte 11
B-1000 Bruxelles
Telephone: +32 (0)2 285 46 60
Fax: +32 (0)2 280 08 17
Email: etf@etf-europe.org

Letter sent by ETF affiliates to Swissport management to request the establishment of a Special Negotiation Body

See below the drivers’ information brochures on the Mobility Package.

See below the ETF position notes on the Mobility Package.

See below the briefing notes on the Mobility Package.

Read the ETF Statement on application of posting of workers in the road sector below.

Please find below the statements and reports on violence against women.

Please find below the progress report on the Mobility Package.

The final work programme of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Inland Waterways,  2018-19. Adopted on 16 January 2018.

ETF IWD statement on ILO convention

Joint ETUC ETUFs letter to Commission President Juncker

DHL EXPRESS Turkish Court ruling of 5 June 2018

The ETF position regarding the application of the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions to seafarers and fishermen.

Ports are critical to European economies and so is port work. It is indeed in everybody’s interest to have efficient and competitive ports. The Spanish dispute reopened a debate that had been kept somehow silent for some time, about the competitiveness of European ports and the role of port labour.

We feel therefore the need to state our points of view on the reality of ports and port work in Europe.

Resolution expressing full support to its affiliates, FeSMC-UGT and FSC-CCOO, and to all Spanish Dockers in their struggle to fight wild liberalisation of port labour.

In a meeting of the EU-level Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for ports, held in Brussels on 12 December 2014, social partners adopted a statement on their vision of social dialogue in the sector.

In 2008-2009 the ETF Dockers’ Section carried out an EU co-funded project called “Training and qualification systems in the EU port sector: setting the state of play and delineating an ETF vision”.

Training and qualifications are a core topic for the Dockers’ Section, and this project aimed to deepen the debate within the ETF about the issue. In the attached report we also gathered knowledge on the different training and qualification systems in place in the EU.

Open letter to leaders in the EU Institutions, demanding a clear response to the social dumping that has led to the crisis at Ryanair.

These brochures (62-page) and leaflets (2-page) present the conclusions of the TRANS-MAP project, which investigated the specific needs of Managerial and Professional Staff in the transport sector.

ETF position paper on a human-centred and sustainable approach to digitalisation and automation in the shipping industry.

The Transunion Youth project, which run in 2013, aimed to build on ETF’s youth work and pave the way for an ETF youth structure and ETF youth work programme while involving young workers in the overall ETF work programme and decision making bodies. 

The Transunion Youth project, which run in 2013, aimed to build on ETF’s youth work and pave the way for an ETF youth structure and ETF youth work programme while involving young workers in the overall ETF work programme and decision making bodies. 

The Transunion Youth project, which run in 2013, aimed to build on ETF’s youth work and pave the way for an ETF youth structure and ETF youth work programme while involving young workers in the overall ETF work programme and decision making bodies. 

The compendium of best practices from all over Europe on how to integrate young people into trade unions, developed through the ‘Empowering the integration of younger workers in the European Metal, Transport, Food, Services, Construction and Wood’ project.

The compendium of best practices from all over Europe on how to integrate young people into trade unions, developed through the ‘Empowering the integration of younger workers in the European Metal, Transport, Food, Services, Construction and Wood’ project.

The compendium of best practices from all over Europe on how to integrate young people into trade unions, developed through the ‘Empowering the integration of younger workers in the European Metal, Transport, Food, Services, Construction and Wood’ project.

The compendium of best practices from all over Europe on how to integrate young people into trade unions, developed through the ‘Empowering the integration of younger workers in the European Metal, Transport, Food, Services, Construction and Wood’ project.

The Transunion Youth project, which run in 2013, aimed to build on ETF’s youth work and pave the way for an ETF youth structure and ETF youth work programme while involving young workers in the overall ETF work programme and decision making bodies. 

This River Cruise Campaign Booklet can be distributed to river cruise workers to raise awareness about our campaign, offer solidarity and putthem in touch with trade union contacts.

Tug Declaration adopted by the Tug Conference on 11 March 2015

Researchers’ visiting inland waterways vessels in the TASCS project produced this report about their findings.

Programme of the ETF’s 2018 Inland Waterways Seminar held 4-5 September in St. Petersburg.

Agenda, presentations and conclusions from the 2017 Inland Waterways Seminar on apprenticeships.

Agreement on Working Time signed by the European Social Partners in inland waterways.

The ETF Tug Steering Committee adopts a message of solidarity with the workers on the Panama canal – Union de Capitanes y Oficiales de Cubierta (UCOC)

A motion to the ITF Congress (2018) about the on River Cruise Campaign.

ETF proposals for the work programme (2019 – 2021) of the Comité Européen pour l’Élaboration de Standards dans le Domaine de Navigation Intérieure(CESNI).

ETF and ITF affiliates declare their renewed intention to engage in closer cooperation in order to tackle jointly the manifold challenges and changes affecting the sector.

ETF/ITF Tug Conference issue solidarity statement with the Tug Workers on the Panama Canal. (2015)

Press release on German Government paves the way for social dumping in river cruise sector

Social Partners for Inland Waterways – Joint letter on legislative framework for inland navigation (July 2016)

PowerPoint presentation given at the Mid-Term Event of the TASCS project on manning requirements in inland waterways on 29 May 2018 Rotterdam.

Speech by Nick Bramley to mark 50 years of social dialogue in inland navigation.

The ETF is opposed to any discrimination based on gender, nationality, race or colour, age, sexual orientation, disability or beliefs. Among trade unionists there is a very high degree of appreciation of the need to respect the dignity of every individual. Nevertheless in all organisations there should always be vigilance to ensure that all participants feel they are able to operate in an atmosphere in which they feel comfortable and safe. This policy sets our our rules and expectations around mtural respect.

English, French and German laguage versions of the current ETF Constitution, last amended in 2017.

Agreed at the ETF Congress 2017 in Barcelona, this work programme sets out the priorities and strategies for ETF over the next five years.

Joint statement with IndustriALL to promote a European standard.

This research report investigates the notion of “arduous occupations” and its relevance in several EU countries. It then makes recommendations on how workers in such jobs should be treated in European pension reforms. This research report was produced in an EU-funded joint project between various ETUFs.

ETF position paper on urban mobility policy

Our statement on urban public transport in the era of austerity.

Guide for trade union members to understand the new Public Service Obligation Regulation.

Study on the UPT sector and working conditions in European countries. Report is available in various formats:

• Full report in DE, EN and FR
• Summary in DE, EN, FR, IT, ESP, PL, RO, HU, BG
• Detailed country reports in EN

Training pack to help trade union activists prepare the campaigns to influence public transport policy.

The social partners for urban public transport make joint recommendations to promote women’s employment  in the sector.

This study was produced by the ETF and the UITP through the EU-funded social dialogue project WISE 1 – Women Employment in Urban Public Transport Sector.

The full report is available in English, with summaries in BG, DE, EN, FR and RO.

The social partners ETF and IRU issued this joint decleration against Uber’s practices.

General introduction and work programme.

UITP and ETF joint statement on EU legislation.

Social partners ETF and UIPT produced this policy paper to set our their vision for urban public transport as the key to sustainable mobility.

A social partner project to deepen relationships with CEE social partners in urban public transport.

Social partner activities to tackle third party violence in urban publci transport. Our recommendation is available in DE, EN, FR, and then a report in English assesses the implementation.

The ETF highly welcomes the decision of the European Commission to put the issue of urban mobility and urban transport on the political agenda of the European Union.

Did you know? Besides driving, you bus or coach driver has to perform so many other tasks. This takes time, on the expense of rest hours. This info-graphic shows how much a driver has to do before and after driving passengers to their destination.

How often do bus and coach drivers work during their rest time? An ETF survey carried out on 687 drivers show that 56% of them will prepare their weekly journeys during the week-end. 57% of them use their rest time to clean their coach while 46% of them will have to find a spot to park their coach once they drop off their passengers, and that’s also done on the expense of their rest hours. See this info-graphic for more.

The European Commission proposes more flexibility on rest and driving hours for bus and coach drivers. Four European organisations representing interests of cyclists, passengers, pedestrians, professional drivers, point out that more flexibility will lead to driver fatigue and have a negative impact on road safety.

We are looking for an external freelancer who will produce a YouTube video about the Toolbox for successful social dialogue in air traffic management (ATM).

The improvement of safety in operations in modern day industries relies to a significant extent on a good safety culture. The single most important part of a good safety culture has been recognised as Just Culture. This is an atmosphere of trust where employees feel naturally inspired to call to attention safety risks, even when they themselves may be implicated in the discovery of that safety risk. However it is also clear that unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. The six ATM partners for Just Culture (ATCEUC, CANSO, ETF, IFAIMA, IFATCA and IFATSEA) representing different actors of the organisational domain (employers, workers, professional staff organisations) have developed,as part of an EU-funded social dialogue project, a toolbox containing a set of guiding principles for developing and implementing a Just Culture in ATM.

This brochure explains why it is vital to keep staff onboard European trains. Driver-only operations are a risk to everyone’s safety, security and welbeing. The brochure is available in EN, FR and IT.

ETF Inland Waterways position on automation adopted in October 2018

The ETF and the ETF Railway Section Steering Committee, which met on 27 September 2018, supports the battle of the more than ten thousand Italian workers involved in catering on board
trains, cleaning trains, stations and offices, setting up night trains and assisting the disabled who are again on strike for the 3rd time within 4 months on Friday 26 October 2018 to maintain their employment and their rights.

Signed in Vienna on 31 October, this declaratin fromthe ETF and affiliates around Europe sets out our vision for an EU Mobility Package that is fair a safe for drivers and all road users.

ETF supports the strike of 17th May 2018 of Italian FedEx – TNT Workers

ATU Romania Mobility Package Letter to Romanian MEPs and to the Romanian delegation of the EP SD group

ETF-CER Statement calling for decent EU Mobility Package

The document provides guidance for social partners at company and sector level on how to end gender-based violence in transport. It includes ten things to do to prevent violence against women workers in transport.

The purpose of the poster is to display it in workplaces and give a clear signal against gender-based violence.

The document is based on best practice approaches and takes into account the specific work situations that expose women transport workers to risks of violence.

ETF and ITF write to the DHL Global HR Director after the court ruling.

Posters for the demonstration of 3 December. We will gather drivers, union activists, international trade union delegations, MEPs, to say STOP! to a deal that puts damages drivers’ wellbeing and road safety.

CCNR Press Release on WORKSHOP ON BERTHS AS ELEMENT FOR A FUTURE ORIENTED INLAND NAVIGATION

EU rules on professional qualifications and labour mobility in European inland navigation

Our General Secretary spoke to the 2018 Congress of ETF’s Italian affiliate FILT CGIL. Here is the full text of his speech.

2018 quarterly report on European inland navigation from CCNR

The ETF and our General Secretary Eduardo Chagas support the battle of Turkish workers against TNT/FedEx to have the recognition of workers’ organisation and association rights.

This ETF/ITF report give an update on the slow progress at Ryanair, one year after the airline announced that they would negotiate with workers and their unions.

After the terrible accident near Marşandiz station in Ankara, resulting in 9 fatalities and over 40 injuries, ETF sent this letter of condolence to affiliate unions in Turkey.