Sectoral social dialogue - Railways Sectors of activity :SelectAgricultureAudiovisualBankingCentral government administrationsChemical industryCivil aviationCommerceConstructionContract cateringEducation ElectricityExtractive industriesFood and drink industryFootwearFurnitureGasGraphical industryHospitals and healthcareHotel, restaurant and catering (HORECA)Industrial cleaningInland waterwaysInsuranceLive performanceLocal and regional governmentsMaritime transportMetal industryPaper industryPersonal services/Hairdressing PortsPostal servicesPrivate securityProfessional footballRailwaysRoad transportSea fisheriesShipbuildingSteelSugarTanning and leatherTelecommunicationsTemporary agency workTextile and clothingWoodworking Social partners Employees' organisations Employers' organisations European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) Social dialogue in this sector covers activities defined by NACE (Rev.2) classes 49.1, 49.2 as well as partially class 52.2: passenger rail transport (including local trains) rail freight transport operation of rail infrastructure Around 765,000 people work in the EU rail sector (Eurostat, Labour Force Survey, data 2014). people are employed in the railway sector. Rail accounts for 17% of EU freight transport and 7.4% of land passenger transport (‘EU transport in figures’ 2015, based on 2013 data). However, on certain routes the share of rail can be much higher (e.g. 66% for freight traffic crossing the Swiss Alps – 'EU transport in figures' 2015). The issues in the rail sector include: transitioning to a market with competing service providers ageing workforce problems recruiting staff competing with other modes of transport. EU rail policy is geared towards creating a single European railway area. This includes abolishing technical, administrative and legal obstacles that stop new rail operatings entering the markets. This should improve working conditions in the sector. Key areas close follow-up on Commission initiatives, such as the Fourth railway package decarbonisation of rail transport - Shift2 Rail amendment of the Train Drivers Directive attracting new staff and passengers manageing an ageing work-force recruiting younger people improving passenger and staff safety. The social partners work on joint projects and monitor the implementation of their recommendations and joint agreements. They carry out a regular member survey on gender diversity in the rail sector – to check the implementation of their recommendation on the integration of women in the railway sector. They also produced a follow-up report on the Agreement on working conditions of mobile workers assigned to cross-border services. Activities and meetings Check the library entries for the rail sector social dialogue committee. Achievements/Joint texts Check the social dialogue texts database