Our priorities for 2022 – 2027 are:
Social dialogue: Achieving binding results with our social partner, CER, that effectively improve the working conditions of railway workers and making sure previous agreements are implemented and respected.
Railways are the backbone of a sustainable transport system. For the past 30 years Europe’s railway sector has been undergoing constant reforms and restructuring – partly imposed by EU legislation, partly by national governments or company decisions.
Throughout these changes, ETF has championed:
ETF is the sole recognised social partner for the railway sector representing railway workers. Together with the railway employers – European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) – we form the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Railways.
Our common goal is to make sure that Europe implements a European railway policy where workers enjoy decent working conditions and where their social rights are respected. At the same time, through social dialogue and the consultation obligations of the European Commission, we are able to react to new developments in the railway sector and exchange views on current challenges with all parties concerned.
Our Priorities
We pursue these goals through joint projects, recommendations and agreements with our social partners.
The Railways Section meets twice per year and every five years, before the ETF Congress, it elects its Steering Committee and adopts a work programme.
The Steering Committee is chaired by the Section Chair and it is composed of two Vice-Chairs, a Representative of Women Railway Workers, a Representative of Young Railway Workers and 3 Ordinary Members.
The Railway Section is supported by three advisory groups: one that brings together locomotive drivers; one that brings together on-board staff; and one that represents maintenance workers.
The ETF is an observing member of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and nominates trade union experts for relevant ERA working groups.
