health and safety

Dockworkers from FNV Havens win improved pay and conditions after bringing Port of Rotterdam to standstill with biggest ever strike. Concerted strike action by lashers from International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) affiliate, FNV Havens, has won a new agreement which will guarantee the safety, health and pay of lashers now and in the future. The lashers’ organising and action, the biggest ever seen in the Port of Rotterdam – Europe’s busiest and largest port – brought the port to a standstill last week.

The maritime industry, a backbone of global trade, relies on the hard work of seafarers who navigate the world's oceans, ensuring goods are delivered efficiently. However, the demanding nature of this job often results in long hours, physical strain, and extended periods away from home, leading to significant fatigue. A critical issue that has emerged in recent years is the practice of requiring seafarers to perform additional tasks, such as lashing and unlashing cargo. This practice not only exacerbates fatigue but also raises serious safety concerns.

Unions are ready to negotiate, but are e-commerce companies ready? This year’s best Black Friday deal would be one where e-commerce companies sit down and talk to unions about providing dignity at work for the millions of warehouse and delivery workers working around the clock this 25 November.

The aviation industry needs an ambitious decarbonisation plan with people at its centre. ETF lays out key principles in its sustainable aviation vision.

Without delay, the European Commission must consider health and safety aspects to complete the FuelEU Maritime initiative.

The UK government relaxation of driving time rules is a step in the wrong direction and will only make the driver shortage worse, threaten road safety and undermine working conditions in road haulage

ETF affiliate FSC-CCOO's reflects on the lessons learned from the Suez Canal blockage and the instability caused by flags of convenience. The ETF joins their call for an investigation into the causes of the blockage and stronger protections of seafarers.

Social partners call for a revision of the current fishing capacity rules to allow for improvements in safety and working conditions and move the industry closer to the European Green Deal goals.