Nordic Transport Workers' Federation

23/07/2026

✈️ This week, NTF has participated in the ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit 2026 in Luanda, Angola. The summit brought together aviation professionals, regulators, unions and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss how to strengthen women's participation and leadership across the aviation sector.

The discussions highlighted both progress made and the work that still lies ahead. They also served as a reminder that many of the challenges facing aviation are shared across the transport sector, and that there is much we can learn from each other's experiences when it comes to inclusion, skills and workforce development.

28/06/2026

Behind every supply chain, every shipment, every product you buy, there are seafarers. 👨‍✈️ 👩‍✈️🌊🚢

On the Day of the Seafarer, we recognize their essential role in keeping global trade moving. Their rights must move with it.

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) sets minimum standards to protect them, from wages and safety to dignity.

This year marks 20 years since the MLC entered into force, helping advance decent living and working conditions and fair competition in shipping worldwide.

⚓ at sea matters.

26/06/2026

Norden står tillsammans. Säkerheten till sjöss måste alltid gå först – ett gemensamt språk ombord är avgörande när sekunder räknas. Språkkrav ska inte avskaffas. ✊⚓️

The Nordic countries stand united. Safety at sea must always come first – a common working language on board is crucial when every second counts. Language requirements must not be removed. ✊⚓️

Branschorganisationen Svensk Sjöfart vill ändra i språkkravet som finns ombord på svenska passagerarfartyg. De har skickat in ett önskemål till regeringens Förenklingsråd om att ta bort språkkravet, något som vi i Seko sjöfolk motsätter oss å det bestämdaste.

Vid en brand eller evakuering måste varje order förstås omedelbart, och vi måste kunna vägleda passagerarna. Vi har färska exempel på olyckor i Svensk Sjöfarts medlemsföretag som orsakats av just kommunikationsbrister.
Seko sjöfolk har nu fått stöd från våra fackliga kollegor i Norden i frågan. I ett uttalande skriver Ronny Øksnes, ordförande Sjömans- och fiskerisektionen (SFS), Nordiska Transportarbetarförbundet (NTF):

”Scandinavian Star-katastrofen där 159 personer omkom visade vad som händer när besättning och passagerare inte förstår varandra. Överlevande beskrev hur besättningsmedlemmar inte kunde kommunicera under evakueringen, och utredningar visade att bristen på ett gemensamt arbetsspråk förvärrade situationen och minskade möjligheten att rädda liv.”

”Mot bakgrund av flera tragiska katastrofer inom den nordiska passagerarfärjesektorn, med förluster av hundratals liv, anser Sjömans- och fiskerisektionen inom NTF att säkerhetsföreskrifterna för passagerarfärjor inom sektorn måste stärkas, inte tvärtom. Att ta bort de nuvarande svenska språkkraven på begäran av redarna, främst av kostnadsskäl, är ett steg i fel riktning för passagerarfärjetrafiken i nordiska vatten.”

Uttalandet stöds av alla fackföreningar i Nordiska Transportarbetareförbundet, Sjömans- och fiskerisektionens styrgrupp.

Länk till uttalandet i sin helhet i kommentarerna.
Nordic Transport Workers' Federation

18/06/2026

Wishing everyone a great summer from NTF ☀️

After a busy spring, we hope you all get some well-deserved time to rest and recharge. While many in the Nordics are heading into the summer holiday season, we also want to recognise that transport workers keep society moving all year round.

Thank you for your commitment and cooperation!

Take care and enjoy your summer – we look forward to continuing our strong work together after the break.

13/06/2026

Strong days at the AKT Congress in Tampere 🇫🇮

Warm congratulations to Ismo Kokko on your re-election, and to all newly elected representatives – we look forward to continued cooperation!

Thank you for the great hospitality and for inspiring days filled with insights into Finland’s history and the roots of the Finnish trade union movement. We also got a glimpse of Tampere’s impressive development – no wonder it’s one of the most popular cities in Finland.

Our General Secretary reminded the congress delegates of the importance of standing together, leading the way, and bringing light in times when the world feels unstable.

10/06/2026

Our General Secretary Anu Hietala participated in the International Labour Conference (ILC) 2026 in Geneva as part of the ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation delegation. During the conference, she closely followed the work of the committees on Gender Equality and Platform Work.

“It was striking to see how the committees directly influence international labour standards through tripartite social dialogue—and how strongly the workers’ group operates as one team, coordinating positions and supporting each other throughout the process.”

The ILO brings together governments, employers and workers to negotiate global standards that shape working life across borders. The coordinated work of the trade union group shows what can be achieved through unity and shared purpose.

This once again underlines the importance of international solidarity and cooperation in defending workers’ rights in a globalised labour market.

04/06/2026

NTF Seafarers & Fisheries and Dockers Steering Committees meeting in Tórshavn 🇫🇴⚓️

A few intense and important days together with colleagues from across the Nordic countries. On the agenda:
🔹 Update on the Tesla strike in Sweden
🔹 ITF briefing on the situation for seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz
🔹 Presentation of a study on crew fatigue on ferries
🔹 Country reports and planning of upcoming section activities

Alongside the discussions, we also had the chance to experience the Faroese maritime heritage with a round trip on a traditional schooner ⛵️ — a memorable reminder of the roots of our sectors.

A big thank you to our local affiliates Føroya Fiskimannafelag and Havnar arbeiðarfelag for hosting us and for the warm hospitality throughout the meeting

28/05/2026

The ‘EU Inc’ proposal risks creating loopholes that undermine workers’ rights across Europe.

Without binding safeguards, companies could bypass national labour laws, collective agreements and basic protections.

The ETUC is calling on ministers meeting at tomorrow's Competitiveness Council to stop this race to the bottom.

Read more:
https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/unions-call-halt-28th-company-regime-until-safeguards-workers-rights-are-included

27/05/2026

Today’s NTF Civil Aviation section meeting focused on the growing challenges facing the trade union movement and democracy as anti-democratic and fascist forces continue to emerge across Europe. Discussions, introduced by Jonas Bals from LO Norway, explored the impact on working life and the strategies unions need to strengthen democratic values and workers’ rights.

Representatives from different Nordic unions shared experiences and discussed how trade unions are responding to these developments nationally and collectively.

The programme also included discussions on digital development at Norwegian airport operator Avinor, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for employees from a trade union perspective, as well as updates on the implementation of the Lufthansa ruling on part-time and overtime work across different countries.

Thank you for hosting us!

22/05/2026

Today the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its