Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...
Germany: at Tesla, the “Optimus” project could further escalate labor tensions
Tesla’s announcement that employees at its German Gigafactory will be used to test the humanoid robot “Optimus” comes amid significant legal uncertainty that could further inflame the conflict...
Spain: Banco Santander offers early retirement from age 55
The management of Spanish bank Santander and the trade unions reached an agreement on 17 July on an early retirement scheme that will allow employees to leave the company voluntarily from the age...
Italy: employers’ organisations agree on how to determine the reference collective agreement for each sector
The news. Fourteen employers’ organisations, including the country’s largest business associations—Confindustria (industry), Confcommercio (commerce and services) and ANIA...
Germany: Volkswagen and Porsche face massive restructuring
Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board met on 9 July to review a sweeping restructuring plan that includes the elimination of up to 120,000 jobs and the closure of factories in Germany. The carmaker’s...
France: increase in the minimum hourly activity pay for platform delivery riders
The info. On 10 July, the French Employment Platforms Social Relations Authority (ARPE) announced the signing of an amendment to the agreement on the minimum income of independent food delivery...
France: HSBC signs an agreement on quality of life and working conditions
The news. On 7 May, HSBC Continental Europe (2,806 employees at the end of 2025), the British bank’s French subsidiary, signed a two-year QVCT (quality of life and working conditions)...
Germany: IG Metall seeks to strengthen its bargaining power in companies
The seven regional districts of the German trade union IG Metall have launched a broad reflection on the organisation’s positions, methods and objectives in a period marked by multiple crises and...
France: pharmaceutical companies strengthen their disability policy with the signing of a new agreement
The news. Leem, one of the professional organizations representing pharmaceutical companies operating in France (more than 100,000 employees), and the CFE-CGC, FO, and CFTC trade unions signed an...
France: how Schneider Electric is developing social dialogue tailored to AI and the green transition
In an agreement unanimously signed by trade unions on 22 May, Schneider Electric France is strengthening the resources for social dialogue on AI and the green transition. The text creates...
United States: the House of Representatives votes on a bill aimed at accelerating collective bargaining
The news. On 9 June 2026, the House of Representatives passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act by 230 votes to 192, which aims to speed up collective bargaining within companies in the United...
France: Schneider Electric signs its first agreement specifically dedicated to older employees
On June 17, 2026, Schneider Electric France's management (15,000 employees) and all representative trade unions signed a first-ever four-year agreement on the employment of experienced workers...
Luxembourg: 2026 Tripartite Agreement Focuses on Purchasing Power
The news. On 8 June, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and representatives of employers’ and trade union organizations signed the 2026 Tripartite Resilience Package...
France: Michelin plans workforce adjustment with no forced layoffs
On 28 May, the Michelin group announced "a necessary adjustment" to its workforce in France (17,000 employees). The tyre giant plans to cut 1,500 jobs over three years, primarily in white-collar...
Workers’ rights degraded globally by the crackdown on union action (ITUC)
The news. On 31 May, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) published its annual report on the state of workers’ rights worldwide. The 2026 edition reveals a global degradation...
Italy: the new insurance collective agreement bets on artificial intelligence and quality of life at work
On 13 May, the social partners of the Italian insurance sector concluded a new national collective agreement. It strengthens purchasing power, inclusion initiatives and working hour flexibility...
28 May 2026
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Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...