ETF update: union federation puts transport workers on EU election agenda

With European Parliament elections coming up on 6-9 June this year, the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) has produced a manifesto for election candidates to adopt.

Titled A New Deal for Fair Transport, the manifesto is a call to action for all MEP election candidates and European political parties. The aim is for the candidates and parties to run on an election platform that commits to the demands in the document, advocating for a Europe that places transport workers at the forefront of its policies. The main points of the manifesto are as follows:

Challenging the narrative: Redefining transport work, which is currently plagued by low wages, long hours, and declining working conditions.
Worker-centric policymaking: A shift in transport policy to focus on the needs and concerns of transport workers.
Protection and enforcement: Strengthening sectoral collective bargaining, regulating subcontracting, and enhancing the role of the European Labour Authority.
Safe and discrimination-free work environment: Ending precarious work conditions and introducing a gender-sensitive approach in all EU transport policies.
Economic oversight and social provisions: Introducing greater transparency in company decision-making, social conditionality in subsidies and state aid, and social considerations in procurement procedures.
Sustainable and fair green transition: Emphasising fair resource distribution, an end to austerity policies, and active engagement of workers and trade unions in the process.
Inclusive digital transition: Updating EU labour law to protect workers against the challenges posed by new technologies, promoting decent work, labour rights, democracy, and gender equality.

The ETF and its affiliates are now meeting policymakers, candidates, and citizens to discuss and mobilise around the manifesto. The goal is to put transport and transport workers at the centre of the debates in the months until the European Elections of 2024. Meanwhile, another manifesto specific to seafarers and dockworkers is also being developed, so watch this space for further reports!

• A New Deal for Fair Transport can be downloaded from the Resources section of the ETF website