Labour relations

The Luxembourg company created in 2011 after the subsidiarization of the stainless steel division of ArcelorMittal is about to set up a EWC. The negotiated agreement is tainted with the concern...

18 April 2013

Germany: women’s full-time employment rate has dropped between 1991 and 2011

Figures published by the WSI Institute of Economic and Social Research in the Hans-Böckler Foundation show that, with increased labor market flexibility in Germany over recent years, more women...

18 April 2013

Italy: GDF SUEZ Energia Italia tries telework as an alternative to transfers following from restructuring

On April 10, GDF SUEZ Energia Italia and the trade unions signed a framework agreement on telework as an alternative to job cuts and transfers resulting from the group’s restructuring in Italy. ...

17 April 2013

Sweden: SEF electricians’ union saves agreement forcing employers to take union contributions directly from salary

The SEF electricians’ union and corresponding employers’ organization (EIO, the Swedish Electrical Contractors’ Association) have finally reached an agreement, thus avoiding a major strike planned...

16 April 2013

Belgium: unions divided over the single employee/worker status

The social partners recently failed to reach an agreement on the matter of harmonizing statuses for blue-collar and white-collar workers, thus passing it on the government which still needs to...

16 April 2013

Great-Britain: Unite holds its course

The existing general secretary of Unite, the biggest union (with 1.4m members and the biggest affiliate to the Labour Party) has been re-elected for a five year term of office. Len McCluskey beat...

15 April 2013

Sweden: 6.8% wage increase over 3 years for the 500,000 manufacturing workers

Mediators helped reached an agreement in the first weeks of April between the different union and employers’ organizations in the industry. It provides for a 6.8% wage increase over 3 years in...

15 April 2013

Netherlands: ‘minimum’ social agreement

On April 12, the talks between the trade unions, government and employers on social reforms to undertake as part of the 2014 budget led to a social agreement. The deal mostly postpones major...

15 April 2013

Germany: no economic layoffs at Vattenfall until February 2017

Vattenfall, the Swedish energy group, announced in early March that it intended to cut about 2,500 jobs, including 1,500 in Germany, where it is planning to do so without laying anyone off. ...

12 April 2013

Great Britain: impact of the Thatcher years on industrial relations

After Robbie Gilbert, special advisor to former Employment Secretary of State Jim Prior, Gregor Gall, Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Bradford, is taking stock of the...

12 April 2013

Great Britain: the Thatcher legacy as seen by one of its architects

We hardly ever publish opinion columns but we thought it could be interesting to publish two articles showing – even partly – the terms of the heated debate on Margaret Thatcher’s legacy, which...

12 April 2013

Austria: textile workers get 2.8% pay raise

The first agreement of the “Spring Campaign” for the renewal of collective agreements in the industry was reached on April 8 in the Austrian textile industry (12,255 employees). Wage will...

12 April 2013

United States: Barack Obama proposes Republican members to try and get the agency out of limbo

The White House is trying to get the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) out of limbo, putting two Republicans to its list of possible future leaders. By choosing two management-side lawyers...

11 April 2013

Germany: Coca-Cola employees get employment guarantee until the end of 2014

Last-minute agreement. “Bargaining was particularly long and tricky” an NGG spokesperson told Planet Labor, reminding that the talks had started in December 2012 and that warning strikes were...

10 April 2013

Italy: new American Express agreement banks on more flexibility and stronger social policy

The new company agreement signed by American Express Group in Italy in January with the trade unions – after three months of ‘tight’ negotiations – changes working time and organization. Signed...

10 April 2013

Spain: 41st Congress for the UGT union, weakened by the crisis and criticized

The General Union of Workers (UGT) is holding its 41st Annual Congress in Madrid. The theme is “Union for Labor, Action and Solidarity” and Cándido Méndez, outgoing leader running for another...

9 April 2013

1…187 188189190 191…399

Our mind news

See all

France: Orange submits gender equality agreement – including AI provisions – for union approval

The three representative trade unions at Orange France have until 10 December to validate an agreement on gender equality, work–life balance and anti-discrimination measures. While the text...

8 December 2025

mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators

In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...

31 October 2025

Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”

Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...

20 October 2025

France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy

On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...

15 October 2025

Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR

What readers clicked on the most last month.

In the category

What readers clicked on the most last month.

Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”

On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...

3 December 2025

Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle

In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...

2 December 2025

Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining

On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...

2 December 2025

EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI

On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...

18 December 2025

Germany: Erwin Hymer Group’s innovative and award-winning AI agreement

Fed up with negotiating separate agreements for each new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, the social partners at Erwin Hymer Group (8,900 employees) have instead secured a broad, overarching...

12 December 2025

France: Orange submits gender equality agreement – including AI provisions – for union approval

The three representative trade unions at Orange France have until 10 December to validate an agreement on gender equality, work–life balance and anti-discrimination measures. While the text...

8 December 2025