All articles

Deutsche Bahn: new EWC agreement with special system to add Britain’s Arriva
On March 21, the Deutsche Bahn's social partners signed an agreement on the procedures for informing and consulting the group's employees. The text defines the modalities for the restructuring and...
Italy: two measures boosting youth employment in the government’s growth revival plan
On June 15, the Council of Ministers approved the proposal by the Minister of Economic Development on new “emergency structural measures” – the second part of the government’s “Agenda for...
United States: German Verdi representative takes part in first negotiations between T-Mobile and the CWA
Talks at a standstill.  Negotiations for a collective agreement started just after the CWA entered the unit.  However, “it is clear that T-Mobile is stalling so as not to reach a contract” said...
Denmark: the higher the education level, the more men take paternity leaves
“Unquestionably, the ability of receiving full pay during the leave has been decisive in fathers taking their leave” Solveig Ørteby, Vice-President of the Finansforbundet union, told the...
Great Britain: mandatory pay audits for employers guilty of discrimination
Mandatory… barring exceptions.  Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone announced it in Parliament on June 14, parallel to the government’s response to the consultation on labor law launched last...
United States: UAW research director joins Chrysler board
When Ford and General Motors announced that they wanted to review the payment of pensions to their former employees (see our dispatch No.  120391), the United Auto Workers (UAW) decided to appoint...
Lithuania: government and unions fight over the plan to amend the Labor Code
Reform boosting competitiveness and job creation while complying with the European Commission’s recommendations.  On June 6, the government recognized that negotiations on the draft Labor Code...
Germany: Opel employees temporarily give up wage increase in return for employment guarantee until 2016
Bochum will close after 2016.  In a highly anticipated joint statement, Opel’s management and WC and the IG-Metall announced, on Wednesday night, the outline of a restructuring program for the...
Italy: Fim-Cisl and Uilm-Uil sign joint platform for the renewal of the metal collective agreement
“This platform wants to question the government’s austerity policy, claiming that wages can increase without productivity suffering as a result” explained Uilm leader Rocco Palombella.  Meanwhile...
Generali: EWC agreement renewed
New agreement.  On May 4, after about one year negotiating, Generali management and the EWC signed the 4th agreement renewal – the first one was in 1997.  “Through this agreement, the Parties aim...
United States: UAW tried to organize yet another foreign carmaker
At the end of May, Bernd Osterloh, head of Volkswagen’s works council, nipped the UAW’s attempt to unionize the Chattanooga plant, Tennessee, in the bud in March (see our dispatch No.  120199). ...
Germany: Employment Minister urges businesses to adopt “clear regulations” on the use of cell phones and computers outside of working hours
Soaring sick leaves.  Should employees read their work emails on their BlackBerry or computer during their free time?  Should they answer if their boss calls them during the weekend?  Since Ursula...
Italy: unions in logistics, merchandise transport and shipping approve unitary platform renewing their national collective agreement
On June 11, the Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl and Uiltrasporti unions approved a unitary platform for the renewal of the CCN in logistics, merchandise transport and shipping.  As regards pay, without giving...
Fiat/Chrysler: new meeting of the international union network
Success in the US.  The impact of the restructuring procedures, especially on heavy vehicles (Fiat Industrial, 53,000 workers) was subject to a heated debate between the different unions. ...
United States: General Motors wants to review pension payments to cut balance
The automaker already offered the new lump sums system to 42,000 white-collar retirees.  The proposal, made in the beginning of June, is supposed to consolidate the group’s finances.  GM has...
Denmark: government stops tripartite negotiations after metalworkers’ union refused to increase working time by removing public holidays
“We cannot and will not sign an agreement entailing the loss of national or paid holidays.  At a time of high unemployment, a working time increase is not acceptable.  However, we’re open to other...
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
Germany: pensioners in work already common practice, study shows
As the German government steps up measures to encourage people to stay in work beyond the legal retirement age, a new study by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) – an independent...
2
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
3
France: social conference on labour and pensions to proceed without main employers’ group
The preparatory meeting ahead of the social conference on labour and pensions, which is set to decide on the pension system model and the funding thereof, was held on 4 November at France's labour...
4
Luxembourg: two pension reform bills submitted to parliament
After lengthy negotiations with the social partners, in mid-October the Luxembourg government submitted two bills to parliament aimed at reforming the pension system to ensure its long-term...
5
France: TotalEnergies steps up commitment on disability
On 9 October, French energy group TotalEnergies and all representative trade unions signed a new four-year agreement on disability inclusion. Taking effect on 1 January 2026, the deal aims to help...
6
Germany: bill adopted to step up fight against illegal employment
On Thursday 13 November, Germany's Bundestag passed a bill to modernise and digitalise the country’s system for tackling undeclared work and financial crime. In future, the relevant department at...