News

The European Transport Workers’ Federation held an action in Brussels on 7^th of October 2009 to protest against EU plans to eliminate working time limits for self-employed professional drivers.



An ETF group of trade union activists from 12 European countries circled the Rond-Point Schumann from 08:30 to 10:30, to raise awareness of the European Commission and the Council on the implications this decision will have on fair competition in the sector, on occupation health and safety and on road safety in Europe.



If enacted, this controversial legislation could increase the potential workload of self-employed professional drivers to a maximum of 86 hours working time a week, every week of every month in every year! This would result in the increased presence of overworked, fatigue filled drivers on European roads. Studies have established the strong link between fatigue and delayed reaction time, which can result in serious accidents. Tired drivers pose real threats to themselves and to innocent bystanders!