All articles tagged with #trade unions
Swedish car mechanics are on a two-year strike against Tesla over union rights and collective bargaining, challenging Sweden's traditional industrial relations model. Tesla refuses to negotiate a collective agreement, leading to ongoing industrial action supported by other unions and affecting Tesla's operations in Sweden. The dispute highlights tensions between Tesla's management and Swedish labor norms, with uncertain prospects for resolution.
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe plans to cut 11,000 jobs over six years, reducing its workforce from 27,000 to 16,000, due to increased competition from cheap imports, particularly from Asia. The company aims to enhance productivity and operational efficiency by reducing production capacity and outsourcing jobs. Despite efforts to avoid layoffs, the plan has been criticized by trade union IG Metall as a "catastrophe" for employees. Additionally, ThyssenKrupp intends to spin off its steel division into an independent company, a move opposed by labor leaders.
A group of pension funds and asset managers managing a total of $1 trillion in assets have sent a letter to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, expressing their concerns about the company's attitude towards worker rights in Sweden. The investors, including Denmark's Velliv Pension & Livsforsikring A/S and AkademikerPension, are demanding that Tesla accept collective bargaining agreements for its staff and adhere to the "Nordic Model." The investors highlighted Tesla's sustainability credentials and its significant market share in the region, while also mentioning that Danish fund PensionDanmark A/S recently sold its $69 million stake in Tesla due to the ongoing conflict. The dispute has disrupted Tesla's operations in the Nordic region, with sympathy actions spreading to other trade unions and affecting deliveries, registration plates, and trash collection. The investors have requested a meeting with Tesla's board in early 2024 to discuss the matter.
Tesla has lost a legal battle against Sweden's postal service, PostNord, as the fight with Nordic trade unions intensifies. A Swedish court ruled that PostNord does not currently need to deliver license plates to Tesla, which are being blocked by postal workers. This comes as Tesla faces pressure from unions demanding a collective agreement. The Nordics are a crucial market for Tesla, and a Danish pension fund has sold its holdings in the company due to its refusal to enter into such agreements. The court's decision is interim, pending a final ruling, and follows Tesla's lawsuit against PostNord. Other workers, including dockworkers and drivers, are also refusing to service Tesla in solidarity with the union.
Trade unions in Sweden are pressuring Tesla to sign a collective bargaining agreement, with strikes and boycotts being organized by various unions. The metalworkers' union, IF Metall, has already walked out at seven workshops where Tesla cars are serviced, while dockworkers have halted the delivery of Tesla vehicles. The Painters' Union has also announced that painting companies will refuse to work on Tesla vehicles. If no agreement is reached by Tuesday, a total of 109 companies may be prevented from handling and painting Tesla cars. Other unions have pledged to halt shipments to Tesla as well. The unions argue that Tesla's refusal to sign a collective agreement violates the principles of the Swedish labor market.
Germany's finance minister, Christian Lindner, has expressed his opposition to the idea of a four-day workweek, stating that no society has ever increased its prosperity by working less. However, a survey shows that 73% of Germans support the switch to a four-day workweek, assuming they receive the same pay. Some German companies have already begun experimenting with longer workdays in exchange for an extra day off, citing potential benefits such as increased motivation and fewer sick days. The upcoming round of collective bargaining talks in Germany will include discussions on a 32-hour workweek with full pay. Meanwhile, corporate owners in other parts of the world, such as Narayana Murthy and Elon Musk, have expressed opposition to working less or working from home.
The German government, local authorities, and trade unions have agreed on a wage deal for the country's 2.5 million public-sector workers, avoiding the possibility of indefinite strikes. The deal includes tax-free one-time payments and a 5.5 percent salary increase, with a minimum increase of €340. The agreement runs for 24 months and is largely based on a proposal by arbitrators. Municipalities fear the deal may pose new financial challenges for them. Ver.di had initially asked for a 10.5 percent raise and at least €500 more pay over a twelve-month period.
French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64, has ended the country's cherished social benefit of retiring early. While French pension payments are higher than elsewhere, the period workers are required to pay in is gradually being raised from 42 to 43 years, and Macron's reform brings forward the 43-year target to 2027 from 2035 previously. The reform has caused public anger and protests, but Macron argues that it will create more wealth for the economy and allow greater levels of investment.
French President Emmanuel Macron has signed into law a bill to raise the state pension age to 64 from 62, despite months of protests against the plan. The legislation is deeply unpopular and has sparked further protests, with some turning violent. Trade unions have called on the government not to enact the legislation and urged workers to turn out in force for marches on Labour Day on May 1. Opposition parties have tabled another bid for a citizens’ referendum on the reform after the Constitutional Council rejected a first such proposal.
France's Constitutional Council has approved President Emmanuel Macron's controversial pensions reform bill, which raises the legal age of retirement to 64 from 62. However, it blocked several other measures, including a "senior index" aimed at encouraging the employment of senior workers. The ruling is a victory for Macron, but it is unlikely to quell the protest movement that has rocked France in recent months. Some trade unions have warned they will continue protesting the pensions reform. The partial turning down of the bill opens the door for more talks between the government and the trade unions.
Trade unions in France have called for protests against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. The Constitutional Council is set to rule on the legality of the bill, and if approved, the government will be entitled to promulgate the law. The protests have lost some steam, but unions remain defiant, with some workers on strike until further notice. Macron argues the law is essential to ensure France's pension system does not go bust, while unions say this can be done by other means, such as taxing the rich more.
Dozens of trade unionists protesting against French President Emmanuel Macron's pension overhaul briefly invaded the central Paris building in which U.S.-based investment firm BlackRock has an office, chanting slogans and setting off firecrackers. The action came on an 11th day of nationwide union-organised strikes and demonstrations against the government's plan to increase the retirement age by two years to 64. BlackRock did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Protesters entered Biarritz Airport in southwestern France on Tuesday as part of demonstrations against the nation’s proposed pension reforms, which have sparked widespread protests and paralyzed major services across the country in recent weeks. The government has pushed a bill through parliament without a vote last week, after two failed no-confidence votes cleared the way for the pension reforms. Blocking airports has been a tactic used by anti-pension reform protesters nationwide.
French President Emmanuel Macron defends his unpopular pensions reform, which includes raising the retirement age to 64 from 62 and extending contributions, despite protests and strikes. Macron accuses opposition parties of preferring to create more deficits to avoid tough decisions and lashes out at "factions" and "groups that use extreme violence" to challenge the reform. The French government invoked a controversial constitutional maneuver to bypass a parliamentary vote, leading to criticism from trade unions. Despite a hit in popularity ratings, Macron shows no sign of caving to political pressure and plans to follow the parliamentary process.