by Alejandro Martínez Treceño | May 1, 2026 | Uncategorized
On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, the Federation of European Train Drivers’ Unions highlights the essential contribution of train drivers to the functioning of the European railway system.
Train drivers play a central role in ensuring the safety, reliability and continuity of rail operations across Europe. Our work is fundamental to maintaining a high-performing and resilient transport system.
In a context of ongoing transformation of the sector, including digitalisation and technological developments, it is crucial that the operational perspective is fully taken into account. The experience and expertise of train drivers remain key elements in ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with safety and efficiency.
ALE reaffirms its commitment to representing train drivers at European level and to promoting high standards in safety, working conditions and professional recognition.
by Alejandro Martínez Treceño | Apr 13, 2026 | News
🏆 The 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 are open for applications!
Across Europe, inspiring women and organisations are driving change and helping build a more inclusive, innovative and resilient railway sector. Now is the moment to recognise their impact.
Our 2026 edition will celebrate excellence in four categories:
🔹𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
🔹𝗥&𝗜 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
🔹𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
🔹𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱
This edition is particularly special, as it introduces a new recognition category for female hashtag#TrainDrivers and other operational staff. We strongly encourage you to recognise the outstanding work of our colleagues!!👩🏻✈️👩🏻✈️👩🏻✈️
The Awards highlight concrete achievements that create real opportunities for women in rail.
📅 Submit your application or nominate your candidate by NEW DATE!! 5 May 2026 at 12:00 CEST:
https://shorturl.at/AWEBP
by Alejandro Martínez Treceño | Jan 19, 2026 | News
by Alejandro Martínez Treceño | May 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
A delegation of ALE, together with CESI – Independent Trade Unions, met in Brussels during two days with the cabinet of the EUCommissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, DG MOVE and several Members of the European Parliament, focusing on TRAN Committee & Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
We highlighted the main concerns of the European train drivers’ community:
👩✈️ 👨✈️ Revision of the EU train drivers’ Directive
💹 Challenges for rail transport in the EU, especially freight transport, and the EU’s commitment to the sector
🤝 Working conditions in the railway profession and challenges in the supply of labour in the sector as a result of the ageing workforce
♻️ Contribution of rail transport to climate change mitigation
🚝 EU Commission’s initiative Connecting Europe through high-speed rail
🪪 Functioning of Directive 2016/797 on the Interoperability of the rail system
These high-level meetings are aimed at enhancing the value of our profession, achieving the objectives set by Europe in terms of the single railway area, sustainability, mobility and adequate safety standards, hand in hand with the frontline workers´ perspective.
SERA roadmap can be achieved by involving all stakeholders, and the social dialogue is one of the drivers for this challenge.
by Alejandro Martínez Treceño | Mar 20, 2025 | News
On 19th March we attended, as a part of the European Union Agency for Railways’ Management Board, the 68th meeting, where the new Executive Director of the Agency was elected for the next 5 years.
The dialogue with her predecessor, Josef Doppelbauer, has been of great importance for the Train Drivers in Europe, as it has facilitated the incorporation of the vision we have as frontline workers into European policies and technical and regulatory developments in the sector.
We congratulate Oana Gherghinescu, with whom we have had several conversations in the past as she has been working for 10 years within the Agency, for this new stage of great responsibility and we confirm with her the relationship with the social representation of the Train Drivers, which we trust will continue to be very fruitful for the European railway sector.
Source of the picture: ERA
In light of the serious railway accident that occurred yesterday involving trains operated by iryo and Renfe, ALE – Federation of European Train Drivers Unions wishes to publicly express its profound sorrow and solidarity with all those affected by this tragic event.
We would like to highlight and thank the swift and exemplary response of the railway staff who, from the very first moments, took part in the management of the tragedy. Likewise, emergency services for the assistance of passengers and crews from both affected trains, acting with professionalism and dedication under extremely challenging circumstances.
ALE reiterates its commitment to railway safety and will oversee that the ongoing investigation will be conducted with the utmost rigor, independence, and transparency, with the aim of fully clarifying what happened and adopting all necessary measures to prevent a tragedy of this nature from occurring again.
The Federation remains at the disposal of train drivers and all railway workers to provide any support and assistance that may be required during these difficult times.