Transport workers' unions across Europe are launching a week of coordinated action from October 2 to 9 to draw attention to exploitation in the logistics sector and demand stronger regulation of subcontracting and labour mediation.
As part of the Logistics Action Days, coordinated by the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), unions in Spain, Sweden, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, Turkey and other countries are mobilizing to meet with workers, raise awareness and push for legislative changes at both national and European levels.
“Logistics workers are the backbone of our economy, but too many are denied fair pay, decent conditions and basic rights through endless subcontracting chains,” said Livia Spera, ETF General Secretary. “These Days of Action underline the clear demand of transport workers across Europe: we need immediate action to end the abuse of subcontracting throughout the transport supply chain. This means a comprehensive approach: protective EU legislation such as the EU Subcontracting Directive, fundamental changes to business models that reduce these rates, and robust collective bargaining to protect workers’ rights. Our sector is facing a major labour shortage and the solution is clear: we need quality jobs. The ETF is pushing for the changes needed to achieve this, and we will not back down until transport workers have the protection and conditions they deserve.”
Three main events highlight workers’ voices and policy decisions
The week will kick off on 2 October with two key events:
In Brussels, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the ETF, supported by the S&D Group in the European Parliament, will host the event “Hampshire Exploitation: Regulating Subcontracting and Labor Brokerage in Europe” (12:30-14:30, European Parliament, Room ASP 3G2). The event will feature compelling testimonies from logistics workers who have experienced the reality of subcontracting abuses first-hand, as well as contributions from the ETF, EFBWW, EFFAT, MEPs and representatives of the European Commission.
In Rome, the Italian transport unions FILT CGIL, FIT CISL and UILTrasporti are organising a conference with the ETF on “Collective bargaining and legislation in the context of procurement in the integrated logistics supply chain” (14:00, Centro Congressi Cavour). The event brings together trade unions, employers’ organisations, industry associations and government representatives, including the Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Ricci, to discuss national and European approaches to tackling procurement abuse.
On 8 October, the Turkish transport union TÜMTIS will hold a seminar in Istanbul as part of the ETF project “Ensuring fair transport for all in logistics”, where it will present a new ETF study on last-mile logistics and discuss the regulation of subcontracting in the sector.
Events across Europe during the week
In addition to the flagship events, ETF affiliates across Europe are organising workplace actions throughout the week, including meetings with logistics workers, distribution of information materials in logistics centres, staff meetings and conferences with union delegates. Unions in Spain, Sweden, Germany, Turkey, France, Denmark and elsewhere are mobilising to directly address workers and strengthen their demands for fair treatment and stronger protection against abuses in subcontracting.