Labour relations

In the wake of a union coordination meeting that was organized in Brussels by industriAll Europe in Brussels on 14 February at the close of a, trade unions from Germany, Austria, Belgium, the UK...

5 March 2018

Germany: attempts from extreme-right union to infiltrate factories provokes concern

For several months, the German press has been raising the alarm as extreme right-wing trade union Zentrum Automobil (ZA) has attempted to gain a foothold in the country’s automobile sector...

2 March 2018

Brexit: Theresa May expresses desire for a labour mobility framework (in brief)

On Friday 2 March, the UK prime minister presented her vision for the UK’s future partnership with the European Union after Brexit. For the first time, Theresa May clearly stated her desire to...

2 March 2018

Italy : industry social partners conclude an agreement for collective bargaining reform

Following 18 months of discussions, Confindustria president, Vincenzo Boccia and the secretaries general of the Cgil, Cisl, and Uil unions came to agreement on 28 February over a text that is set...

1 March 2018

General Electric puts a EWC structure in place comprising a central committee and business committees to fit GE’s multiple business operations companies structure

These EWC negotiations had a number of goals, not least to learn from the GE acquisition of Alstom’s energy business and provide representation for all European employees within the group’s...

28 February 2018

The Global Deal à la Française emphasizes international social dialogue

Launched in September 2016 by Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the Global Deal initiative seeks to use social dialogue as the vector to restate and rebalance the economic and social dimension...

27 February 2018

Estonia: an historic agreement for the finance sector

Although the agreement that was finally secured took three years of negotiations between the EFTL (recently formed Estonian Financial Sector Employees) and Luminor Bank (the Baltic region’s third...

26 February 2018

Germany: Volkswagen staff set to receive a 4.3% pay rise and a revaluation of their company pensions

In Hanover on the evening of 20/21 February 2018 difficult negotiations came to a successful conclusion between Volkswagen management and the IG Metall union; negotiations which for the first time...

21 February 2018

Italy: pharma-chemicals social partners establish a fund aimed at facilitating generational renewal

Named TRIS (Tutele, Riqualificazione, Innovazione, Sostegno – Protection, Retraining, Innovation, Assistance), this solidarity fund was established during the week of February 12 by the...

21 February 2018

Cargill: agreement signed on the establishment of an EWC, under 2009 directive

The agreement establishing the European Works Council at Cargill was signed on 7 February by the US food and agriculture corporation. The anticipation agreement that previously governed the...

16 February 2018

European Works Council: company management can take action before its EWC gives it opinion, according to the UK’s Central Arbitration Committee

In a decision published on 12 February, the UK’s Central Arbitration Committee said that management does not have to wait for the EWC to give its opinion before taking action at national or local...

16 February 2018

Hungary : two brief news update about wage increases at Bosch and Lidl

+ 12% after a warning strike at Hungarian plant of Bosch and 20% at Lidl.

16 February 2018

Spain: competitiveness agreement signed at the Almussafes Ford facility

Management and unions have agreed on job stability guarantees which will give a fresh boost to the Ford car production facility at Almussafes near Valencia. Both management and unions have signed...

15 February 2018

Switzerland: Metal sector employers and unions mobilize against a fresh initiative to block European immigration

On 14 February Switzerland’s metal sector’s social partners joined forces to combat a new initiative by the Swiss People’s Party (also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre, or the UDC – a...

15 February 2018

Argentina: FIAT launches a new car model that is 85% robot manufactured with backing from the SMATA auto trade union

During the week of 05 February, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Argentina presented a new car model that will be manufactured primarily by robots. This innovative departure is a first for the auto...

15 February 2018

Brazil: far-reaching privatization plan raising questions over the future of jobs

With one month remaining before Brazil’s President Michel Temer term of office comes to an end, the country’s leader is seeking to drive his vast privatization package as far as possible, which...

13 February 2018

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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

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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

Inditex European works council mobilises on value sharing

In a joint statement, 10 trade unions comprising the European works council of the Inditex clothing group are calling for rallies in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany...

24 November 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