News

Germany: the federal labour court rejected the preferential agreement for union members
In a decision published on May 9, 2007, the Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht - BAG) considered that negotiating a "union bonus" – that is advantages exclusively granted to unionized...
EU: European Commission to launch the second step of the consultation on the conciliation of private and professional life
The commission wants to launch, in the coming weeks, the second step in the consultation of social partners on the conciliation of private and professional life. It could suggest tracks to improve...
Nokia Siemens Networks: the European Metalworkers’ Federation denounced the lack of consultation at the European level
The company resulting from activities of the German group Siemens and the Finnish group Nokia announced, on May 10, 2007 - and as was planned when it was created - the suppression of 4,600 jobs...
European social diary, May 14-July 5, 2007
We are offering a diary on the main events concerning social Europe and institutional meetings. You can send your event programs to the following address: press@eeuropnews.com. (Ref. 070422)
Quebecor World: the European WC is calling for an intensification of investments in Europe
During its last meeting, last May 3 and 4 in Barcelona, the group Quebecor World's EWC congratulated itself on the joint declaration signed between the group's management ant the UNI union...
Deutsche Telekom: 96.5 % of militants from the Ver.di union voted in favour of a strike
Leaders of Ver.di, the services union, presented, on Thursday May 10, 2007, the results of the vote on the strike in Deutsche Telekom : 96.5% of the 21,900 registered votes expressed in favour of...
EU: the European Parliament adopted a resolution in favour of the strengthening of workers’ rights to information and consultation
European deputies adopted, on Thursday May 10, a resolution "on the strengthening of European legislation in the field of workers’ information and consultation". The resolution particularly...
Poland: the reform on the early retirement system is experiencing a difficult start
In Poland, the reform on the early retirement system is starting up again (see our story n°070339). After excluding the 200,000 professors from this system, Anna Kalata, Minister of Labour and...
Netherlands: a mugged train driver ask for compensation
An Utrecht court ruled, on May 8, 2007 that Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the railroad company, gradually privatized between 1994 and 2001, is responsible for a train driver’s post-traumatic...
Groupama: an amendment to the agreement concerning the European WC signed
An amendment to the agreement on the establishment of a European works council for Groupama (24,975 employees, 2,839 of which in the EU), which was signed on February 15, 2007, improves a certain...
France: 50 new jobs open to citizens from the EU’s new member States
The government plans to open the access of workers from eastern and central European countries to 30 new jobs with a labour shortage, added to the 62 already open, for which the work permits...
Spain: sanctions on serious infringements in terms of prevention will be published
The government approved in a Ministers' council the decision to publish the sanctions for infringements regarded as very serious in terms of prevention of risks at work. (Ref. 070411)
Germany: working hours are more and more flexible
According to a study published on May 7, 2007 by the Hans-Böckler foundation (close to trade unions), 40% of all employees in Germany enjoy working hours that are "extremely flexible". Only 13% of...
Belgium: the management is insisting on the voluntary dimension of CSR
The Belgian employers' federation (FEB) presented an enquiry on social responsibility carried out among 250 Belgian companies. According to the federation, 'CSR is a custom-made work and a...
8 May 2007
Quebecor World: the Canadian printing company signed a international framework agreement
Quebecor World's management and the international trade union confederation UNI signed, on May 4, 2007, a "joint declaration on the respect and the promotion of international labour norms" on the...
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
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...
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
Italy: new collective agreement for mechanical engineering and metalworking sectors focuses on defending purchasing power
The deal struck on 22 November between Italy’s social partners in the mechanical engineering and metalworking sector brings an end to a long and contentious bargaining process. The agreement –...
25 November 2025