Brussels, 13/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) are calling on the Council of Social Affairs and Labour ministers in Luxembourg on 2/3 June to adopt the draft directive on certain aspects of working conditions for mobile railways workers assigned to cross-border interoperability services. The draft directive is based on a European social partner agreement concluded by ETF and CER (Communaute europeenne du rail, the employers) that defines European minimum standards regarding breaks, daily and weekly rest time and maximum driving time. The trade unions say is also includes aspects relating to the balance between professional and private life for personnel concerned by limiting the number of rests away from home. They note that the draft directive guarantees the health and safety of workers and therefore railway safety and also facilitates interoperability of cross-border rail services. The ETUC and ETF note that 'rejecting the request of the social partners (by the Council, Ed.) would …represent a threat for the European social model'.