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Autonome Lokomotivführer Gewerkschaften in Europa

ALE

ALE defiende un desarrollo armonizado del ferrocarril en Europa y exige para ello el establecimiento de unas reglas claras que garanticen la viabilidad futura del ferrocarril, el empleo de sus trabajadores y las condiciones en que desarrollan su actividad, así como que el transporte ferroviario se realice de forma segura.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Kosma Złotowski (Member of the European Parliament)

21 May 2025 · Language proficiency requirements for cross-border operations in rail

Meeting with Pierpaolo Settembri (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas) and European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions

20 May 2025 · Exchange of views on ALE’s priorities on rail

Meeting with Joachim Luecking (Head of Unit Mobility and Transport)

5 Feb 2025 · Introduction new Head of Unit DG MOVE.C4. Presentation of the work of ALE + Revision of the Train Drivers Directive

Response to Revision of Operation Technical Specification for rail Interoperability

9 Dec 2022

From the Federation of European Train Drivers' Unions - ALE, we want to emphasize the importance of the European regulation really taking into account the reality of the different MS. We are finding that, in certain proposals, issues of a political nature and focused on a specific area of the European railway system are being put on the table, which in no case should overshadow the technical and global nature of this TSI. There is a clear need to include the IM´s in a broader way in this revision, since issues that, in our view, should not be the subject of an SMS, since their scope goes beyond the limits of the safety management system, are being left in the hands of the RU's alone. If we are looking for a real interoperability of rail traffic, the OPE TSI is one of the pillars to make it really effective, but without an investment in infrastructure, signaling, safety, etc. as well as an adequate homogenization of rolling stock, this document can only serve as another barrier. Additionally, we would like to point out the difficulty of being able to adequately analyze the documentation in relation to the short deadlines established. Sometimes this leads to rapid decision making that is not related to a proper study by all stakeholders involved. We will continue to be active and participative in the revision of this regulation, contributing the experience of the front-line worker and the vision of the different members that make up our organization so that the evolution of the drafting is always in favor of the system and considers the reality that is experienced from the driver's cab in our day-to-day work.
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Response to Regulation on train drivers’ certification

8 Feb 2022

The European Train Drivers' Union ALE, whose members are spread across several countries of the European Union, welcomes this initiative. The Directive that regulates our profession needs to be revised, brought into line with the times and with the opinion of all stakeholders so that, with dialogue and consensus, the objectives that we all consider essential in the structure of a Directive that regulates a profession as important as that of train drivers in Europe can be achieved, and this is what we at ALE hope for. ALE has drawn up a document, thanks to the contribution of numerous train drivers and experts in the field, which can be consulted in detail in the attached file. The most relevant points are as follows: - A unification of criteria must be sought with regard to obtaining a train driver's Licence. There is a huge disparity in the number of hours of training in the training programmes of the different Member Mtates. The heart of the trainning in our profession, the Licence, must have a minimum number of hours to ensure that all train drivers are on an equal footing in terms of knowledge and always ensure a standard of quality, professionalism and safety. - Access to the profession of train driver must represent a qualitative leap in people's academic training, always starting from a base level higher than level 3, which is already reflected at present. Thus, on the one hand, a prior level is guaranteed in accordance with the intrinsic responsibility of driving trains and, on the other hand, compliance with a minimum age requirement, which generates confidence and provides a better basis for the objectives and challenges posed by train driver training. - Given that we must go hand in hand with the development of new technologies, we propose that this higher level of digitalisation should entail a higher level of training. Likewise, new training technologies should never replace real on-track training, but should be - exclusively - a complement for training in unexpected or dangerous situations. Recent examples show that Europe is not yet interoperable and that ERTMS, its versions, compatibility on the track and on on-board equipment, etc. need to mature and be trained in view of the number of unforeseen situations faced by train drivers. - Similarly, the actual regulation of working time, real driving times and drivers' breaks must be perfectly identified so that they can never be used to compromise safety. The use of electronic cards to monitor these times and to ensure that cross-border traffic, in particular, does not lose the information from the country of origin, is key to avoiding the lack of control and the additional burden on the worker of not having a regulatory framework to protect him. Companies, infrastructure managers and bodies in charge of safety must be fully involved and have accessible data available in the member states where rail traffic passes through. - National as well as European bodies must be provided not only with a specific job/academic profile, but also with train drivers and other railway professionals who are currently not adequately represented and who make the output in certain institutions somewhat biased. - At present, the language required for train drivers at cross-border points is level B1, a level which should not be lowered under any circumstances, as this ensures that there is no misunderstanding between drivers and traffic management posts or whoever they need to communicate with in the event of a breakdown, incident or accident. The use of translation devices, keyword lists, etc. is absolutely contrary to safety, slows down the operation and adds risks to the already sensitive situation. It is inconceivable, in ALE's view, that safety should be in risk by the use of these tools. Many young people in Europe are now entering the profession and it is time to take advantage of the training advantages available to them to continue with a minimum B1 level... (see attached file)
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Response to EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change

15 May 2020

Europe and the world need to give a boost to more sustainable modes of transport, such as the train. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the need to promote the European Commission's Green Deal and the "shift to rail" that will make domestic and tourist transport more supported by the railways. European trade unions such as ALE (European Union of Train Drivers) are reaching out to the European bodies to build a better and more sustainable future.
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Response to European Partnership for transforming Europe’s rail system

27 Aug 2019

The ALE, which represents Train Driver´s in Europe, is absolutely committed to the idea of ​​a more efficient, greener but also safer and more committed transport with society. We reach out to the European institutions so that they unanimously work towards a sustainable future. The data make it clear that the most eco-friendly transport is the railroad and so far we believe that actions that translate into realities have not been carried out. The Traindrivers, thanks to their training and their specialization in railway driving, help to reduce emissions. Europe has to focus its activity on training, on safety, in short, on everything that, being at a critical moment such as the Transposition of the 4th Railway Package, we must work on it today, not leave for tomorrow. We miss many of these aspects in numerous meetings that we attend that, in the best of cases, remain in mere documentation. We urge all active parties related to the railroad industry in Europe to join forces to achieve everything we always talk about when we meet.
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Response to Revision of language requirements for train drivers to allow pilots exploring alternative options

17 Jul 2018

Since our last General Board, meeting at Segovia, A.L.E. mantains the same position as that manifested in the meeting of the RISC last May. Attached I send letter. Yours faithfully, Thanks for all, Juan Carlos Cañas Lloret. SECRETARY OF A.L.E.
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