”The ETF deeply regrets the outcome of the UK Brexit referendum. It is a sad but strong signal that an adequate European Union social policy is absent, and has sent workers away from the European project. The EU’s policies do not reflect workers’ expectations; a change has to come rapidly before other countries follow Britain’s example.” — Eduardo Chagas, ETF General Secretary
Statement from the European Transport Workers’ Federation and the International Transport Workers’ Federation:
24 June 2016
Commenting on this morning’s result, ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) president Paddy Crumlin said: “As democrats and trade unionists we respect the decision, hairsbreadth narrow though it was. As democrats and trade unionists we also pledge ourselves to working to preserve the gains made in worker protections in the last decades, and to continue to fight for more. We will not see workers, wherever they are in Europe or elsewhere, undefended and paying the price of the economic injustices and decisions of recent years. Workers should not pay the price of Brexit.”
Eduardo Chagas, general secretary of the ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation), stated: “The ETF deeply regrets the outcome of the UK Brexit referendum. It is a sad but strong signal that an adequate European Union social policy is absent, and has sent workers away from the European project. The EU’s policies do not reflect workers’ expectations; a change has to come rapidly before other countries follow Britain’s example.”
Steve Cotton, ITF general secretary, added: “Trade unions are a major democratic force. The ITF is a key member of that international union community, and it is our job to reach across borders to help and represent the workers of all nations.
“The ITF will continue to fight for workers’ rights and against the race to the bottom and the injustices of austerity. We will defend rights and public services across borders because, as an international organisation dedicated to equality and solidarity, that is what we do. We remain dedicated to internationalism, cooperation and tolerance.”