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News updates as of May 4, 2018
Germany/ Committee set up to develop pension reform. On Thursday 3 May, Hubertus Heil, the social-democrat employment minister, unveiled a list of ten experts and social partner representatives...
4 May 2018
United States: geeks foray into militancy
Little by little Silicon Valley’s geek community is discovering the joys of militancy. Although not engaged to the extent of being members of a well known trade union such as the UAW, SEIU, or...
EU: the European Commission budget proposal presentation proves controversial
On 02 May the European Commission presented its budget proposal for the 2021-2027 period. In order to both cope with €15 billion less per annum because of the UK’s exit, and balance the Member...
3 May 2018
Latvia: an historic collective agreement signed for the construction sector
Roughly ten years ago Latvia’s construction sector was under the spotlight with a high profile court case that pitted Latvian construction company Laval un Partneri Ltd against the Swedish...
Germany: both unions and manager are skeptical over the basic income
Controversy reigning over whether or not to retain Hartz IV* unemployment benefits, the economy’s move towards digitalization and robotization, and a potential overhaul to the working time...
In brief, both the ETUC and French trade unions call on President Macron to back the draft Directive relative to work-life balance
In a letter addressed to French President Macron dated 02 May (here), the secretary general of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) together with the secretaries general of its affiliated...
2 May 2018
News update as of April 30, 2018
On the menu : ETUC publishes a table indicating countries where the right of collective bargaining is under threat, French government adopts bill to revamp vocational training, Toll signs an...
30 April 2018
United Kingdom: industrial strategy for artificial intelligence unveiled
The UK government has unveiled a new so-called ‘sector deal’ for the artificial intelligence industry. Announced on 26 April, it follows sector deals dedicated to the life sciences, construction...
27 April 2018
EU: the EU Commission wants to help companies merge, divide and move seats across Member State borders while safeguarding workers’ rights
On 25 April the European Commission proposed new company law rules to make it easier for companies to merge, divide, and move company seats within the EU. The EU directive proposal aims to...
26 April 2018
EU: Commission has presented a series of measures aimed at making artificial intelligence (AI) work for the economy and for European citizens
In a press conference on 25 April the European Commission argued for a three-pronged approach to AI including an increase in public and private investment in AI, preparation for socio-economic...
26 April 2018
EU: the ETUC says an EU Commission initiative for greater online platform fairness and transparency should protect platform workers as well as businesses
According to the ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation), the EU Commission regulation proposal presented on 26 April 2018 that aims to promote online platform fairness and transparency, ‘is a...
26 April 2018
Finland: government announces controversial changes to fixed term employment and employment termination contracts
Both the opposition and trade unions are mobilizing in opposition to the government’s most recent announcements aimed at boosting youth employment via fixed term employment contracts and...
25 April 2018
Norway: Labor and Social Affairs Minister presents changes to legislation on temporary work and ‘zero hours’ contracts
On 10 April, Norway’s government presented a draft law that aims to do away with so-called ‘zero hours’ contracts as well as to restrict recourse to temporary employment and the growing influence...
25 April 2018
EU: Commission proposes law to strengthen whistleblower protection
The proposal aims to offer protection to whistleblowers who report breaches of European Union law. It obliges companies to implement safe channels for reporting regulatory breaches, illegal...
23 April 2018
United Kingdom: labour reform promised by the government continues to lag
On 18 April, the UK government published its response to labour law reform proposals put forward by two parliamentary committees. While Theresa May and her team recognise that things need to...
23 April 2018
Delivery Hero: German food delivery group agrees to creation of a works council and to equal representation on its supervisory board
The German parent company of the food-delivery service Foodora announced on 16 April that it had signed an agreement on worker representation, as it prepares to transition from an AG (public...
20 April 2018
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
2
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
3
France: La Poste to launch negotiations for an AI agreement
Following the lead of firms such as Axa, Syensqo globally, and more recently CDC Habitat, La Poste group management will open negotiations on an AI regulation agreement during the first half of...
4
France: Club Med includes “multiculturalism” in its professional equality agreement
In December 2025, Club Med and the CFTC, Unsa, and FO trade unions signed an agreement on professional equality and working conditions. It introduces measures addressing AI, pay transparency, and...
23 March 2026
5
France: bioMérieux’s new disability agreement pivots towards mental health
The news. On 6 January 2026, bioMérieux—an in vitro diagnostics specialist employing 4,400 people in France—signed a new four-year agreement “relating to the employment...
6
Germany: a wave of redundancy plans in the automotive sector
The latest financial results presented in early 2026 by major German car manufacturers show sharp declines. This collapse in profits has triggered the announcement or confirmation of massive job...
16 March 2026