EU: a broad switch to telework is presenting trade unions with both challenges and opportunities to reconnect with their grassroots

‘Telework is here to stay and unions need to learn how to organise workers online and address their concerns.’ With this in mind, IndustriAll Europe, the European industry trade union federation has identified both challenges facing the trade union organizations as they strive to continue keeping in touch with workers and recruit new members, as well as fresh opportunities to reinvigorate by capitalizing on some new methods that were deployed during the pandemic. The union federation message has drawn on a report by Unions 21 (a UK trade union forum that has been studying the challenges facing trade unions), which presented the content of several interviews carried out with To support its message, it relays a study carried out by Unions 21 (a forum of British trade unions that reflect together on the challenges facing trade unionism) based on several interviews with a wide range of trade union staff and representatives and surveys on best practices that have been developed during the pandemic.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

A promise of trade union renewal? The report’s authors found that the need for contact, interaction, and clarification of government information has led to a wave of reconnection between members and their unions. To meet these needs, trade union organizations have also had to adapt and use new means of communication.

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Mexico: Senate examines legislation on the right to disconnect
The news. In Mexico, the Senate is examining legislation enshrining the right to disconnect. The text, approved by the Chamber of Deputies on 3 March 2026 and subsequently passed unanimously by...
12 November 2026
Switzerland: Could the referendum on funding a 13th monthly pension payment mark the start of a major pension reform?
On 29 November, Swiss citizens will vote in a referendum on how to finance the 13th monthly payment for pensioners (13th OASI pension), a benefit approved in 2024 that will be paid out from...
12 November 2026
France: 1.6% minimum wage increase from December
The French government announced on 9 November a 1.6% increase in the minimum wage from 1 December 2026. Caught between trade union demands and employers' warnings over labour costs, it is putting...
10 November 2026
France: Kering introduces a “second half of career” HR review for employees aged 50 
The news. Luxury group Kering and the CFDT and CFE-CGC trade unions signed a pioneering agreement on 30 June specifically dedicated to the employment of experienced staff in France, in accordance...
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
France: following the post-Covid boom, large companies scale back on remote working
In the post-pandemic context, large French groups multiplied generous remote working agreements before reversing the trend from 2024 onwards. What is the extent of this phenomenon? mind RH...
2
France: Iliad structures its skills management around AI
The news. On 9 April, Iliad (11,600 employees in France), the parent company of telecoms operator Free, concluded an agreement on jobs and career path management with its representative trade...
3
France: how CDC Habitat aims to better promote the expertise of its employees
The housing division of the French public group Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, CDC Habitat (10,800 employees), established new measures on skills in July. They are set out in two agreements...
4
France: La Poste strengthens regional management of jobs and skills
La Poste’s 2026-2028 agreement on the management of jobs, professional pathways and gender diversity in occupations puts the emphasis on supporting mobility and career changes, relying on a...
5
Germany: a negotiation timetable and the prospect of industrial action at Volkswagen
The news. On 23 October, the German carmaker Volkswagen and the trade union IG Metall announced the opening of negotiations on wages, the new cost-cutting programme and job cuts. They will take...
6
Germany: Schaeffler cuts 3,460 jobs and requests temporary wage “solidarity contribution”
The news. On 3 November 2026, German automotive supplier Schaeffler announced a new “earnings improvement programme”, entailing the net reduction of 3,460 jobs in Europe by 2028 (2,660...