Exclusif France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy National industrial relations After several months of negotiations, the 18th and final meeting of French social partners convened to improve the pension reform ended in failure on 23 June. While there was agreement on improving women's pensions and lowering the full retirement age, discussions stalled on the issue of arduous work. The government met with trade unions and employers' organisations on 24 June to find a "way forward".
France: insurance sector becomes first to sign agreement on employment of older workers National industrial relations On 25 June 2025, France Assureurs – the employers’ association for the insurance industry – and five representative trade unions signed the sector’s first three-year agreement aimed at promoting the employment of experienced workers. Covering 161,300 employees, the agreement establishes a general framework for future negotiations within insurance companies employing 300 or more people.
France: Auchan Retail job protection plan ruled invalid due to lack of consultation with trade unions National industrial relations As Auchan Retail moves ahead with plans to cut its store floor space by 25%, the Lille Administrative Court on 23 September annulled its job protection plan (PSE).…
Germany: Adidas ceases to apply industry collective agreements as of 1 September National industrial relations In August, the Federal Association of the German Footwear and Leather Goods Industry (HDS/L) informed the IG-BCE trade union – for the construction, chemicals and energy sectors – that sportswear manufacturer Adidas was to change its membership of the employers' association. As of 1 September, it has switched from ordinary membership to membership without a collective agreement. Behind this decision, which has been described as a "spectacular move", lies the refusal to agree to several union demands, including that of a collective framework for the group's highest salaries.
Austria: rapid collective agreement struck amid crisis in metalworking industry National industrial relations While conditions in Austria’s metalworking sector are not yet critical, the industry is facing a trend of job losses, declining orders and stagnation. In response to the crisis, the social partners agreed in just a few hours on a two-year agreement with two increases of between 1.41% and 2.1% and a 'purchasing power bonus' that can be converted into days off.
France: agreement at Adecco to better anticipate job evolution National industrial relations On 10 June, Adecco France and representative trade unions signed an agreement on job and career management and gender diversity for the period 2025-2029. Under this agreement, the temporary employment agency undertakes to develop its permanent employees' employability on an "ongoing basis" to enable them to adapt to economic and technological changes. The company will carry out annual forward-looking assessments of job trends as part of this push.
Germany: IG Metall-Tesla conflict intensifies over policy to combat absenteeism National industrial relations The management at Tesla's German Gigafactory is increasing pressure on its employees amid an exceptionally high rate of absenteeism. It is doing so with the support of 'Faction 23', a majority alliance of staff representatives within the works council. A new company agreement allows for retroactive deductions of up to three years of wages for questionable sick leave. The IG Metall union is contesting this.
France: agreement to boost gender diversity struck at 3M National industrial relations In an agreement signed on 26 June, the industrial company 3M France, which has nearly 800 employees, and representative trade unions signed a new agreement on professional equality.…
Italy: Essilor-Luxottica to experiment with a four-day week at one plant from 1 January 2026 National industrial relations On 9 September, the Franco-Italian optical group Essilor-Luxottica and the Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uiltec trade unions signed an agreement that will enable all employees at one of the group’s plants in Italy (yet to be determined) to benefit from 20 four-day weeks per year from 1 January 2026.…
France: pharmaceutical industry signs first agreement on older workers National industrial relations On 8 July, Leem, the professional body for pharmaceutical companies in France, concluded its first sector-wide agreement with the CFE-CGC, CFTC, FO and Unsa unions on the integration and retention of older workers. Extending the scope of mandatory talks set out in the July 2025 law on the employment of experienced staff, the deal will take effect on 1 January 2026 for three years.
