Trade unions

France

French unions announce new strikes after failed talks with PM Lecornu

France's trade unions call for new nationwide strike on 2 October to pile the pressure on new French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

24/09/2025

France

France braces for more major strikes and protests on Thursday

All major unions have called for strikes and demonstrations against the government's budget measures. Major disruptions to transportation, schools, hospitals and public services are expected across the country.

17/09/2025

Business

Greek unions speak out after government pushes for 13-hour workday

The GSEE warns of a "medieval era" for workers. The Ministry of Labour calls it "modernisation" and an "adaptation to today’s workforce and business needs".

02/07/2025

Europe News

Surprise strike at Hamburg airport a day earlier than expected

A German trade union had called for strikes at 13 major German airports to take place on Monday - but then staged the strike at Hamburg airport on Sunday.

09/03/2025

Business

US importers stockpiling Italian prosecco amid fears of tariffs

During the first Trump administration, Italian wines were exempt from tariffs, and as of right now, no duties have been declared against European allies. However, to safeguard the market, Prosecco importers and distributors say they are taking preventative action.

07/02/2025

Europe News

Unions and NGOs fearful of EU Commission's new pro-business plan

Civil society groups and unions are nervous about the political turn taken by the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen’s second presidency, and warn its new Competitiveness Compass could steer it away from green deal aspirations and workers’ rights.

30/01/2025

Europe News

Unions, NGOs fear sweeping deregulation amid competitiveness drive

Trade union leaders and environmental campaigners are among over 250 groups warning against a bonfire of red tape as the second von der Leyen commission presses on with its core goal of shielding European industry from US and Chinese competition.

13/01/2025

Business

Union reaches agreement with Volkswagen to avoid plant closures

After days of negotiations which looked like they had reached a stalemate, German workers union IG Metall has reached a deal to avoid Volkswagen plant closures as well as redundancies and wage cuts.

20/12/2024

Business

Volkswagen talks over future of plants and jobs at a 'stalemate'

Workers at the car giant have been taking industrial action following VW's revelations about the possibility of closing German plants and axing thousands of jobs. Volkswagen is struggling with falling sales in Europe, high labour costs and excess capacity.

20/12/2024

Business

Volkswagen majority stakeholder supports German factory closures

Car giant Volkswagen’s biggest owner, the Porsche-Piëch family, has said they are in favour of reducing the number of German plants, as a cost-cutting measure.

19/12/2024

Business

Top London store Harrods adds cover charge as Christmas strikes loom

Harrods said it introduced the fee to keep menu prices competitive and maintain a high level of service.

12/12/2024

Business

Volkswagen workers in Germany ready to strike in early December

Volkswagen workers are set to strike in Germany in early December and union IG Metall said in a circulated pamphlet that it is "necessary".

29/11/2024

Europe News

VW workers' union threatens to go on strike after talks fail

Earlier this week, the workers announced that they were willing to accept pay reductions so that the company could continue to keep plants open and avoid mass layoffs.

22/11/2024

Business

IG Metall agrees wage deal for German auto and engineering workers

The deal, watched by the European Central Bank for its effect on inflation, comes at a tough time for Europe's biggest economy.

12/11/2024

Europe News

Automobile workers don't believe taxing Chinese EVs is the solution

The protest comes as the European Commission is considering imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

18/10/2024

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, my love? Austrian elections again shake the establishment

In this edition, we dissect a recent Austrian poll that saw the far-right Freedom Party claim victory, and hear why the Union Jack was flying again in the EU institutions.

05/10/2024

Europe News

European EV crisis: Audi's Brussels factory faces uncertain future

Audi's plant in Belgium's capital assembles a €80,000 electric SUV, which is too expensive for Europeans. After 2025, production will likely relocate to Mexico, and workers and unions are not happy.

04/10/2024

Business

VW workers stage protest as managers and unions hold talks

The talks on pay and conditions at Volkswagen come amid reports of job cuts and, for the first time in its history, potential plant closures in Germany.

26/09/2024

Radio Schuman

The new EU Commission needs change, major trade union leader says

The European Commission risks being too centralised and not attractive to young people any more, according to Cristiano Sebastiani, the president of one of the EU's major trade unions, Renouveau & Démocratie.

25/09/2024

Portugal

Portugal faces severe teacher shortage as school year begins

Portugal's National Teachers' Federation (Fenprof) says that over 800 teachers are missing from Portuguese schools at the start of the academic year.

12/09/2024