European Workers Issues
Auto parts workers strike in Germany
IG Metall accepts mass redundancies and plant closures
By Marianne Arens, 18 July 2018
The IG Metall union has long since abandoned the factory in Leipzig.
As Jeff Bezos’ wealth reaches $150 billion
Unions strangle strike efforts by European Amazon workers on Prime Day
By Will Morrow and Genevieve Leigh, 17 July 2018
Prime Day is treated as a virtual public holiday by the corporate media, akin to Black Friday, but it is synonymous with increased exploitation for Amazon and other shipping workers.
French auto giant PSA announces new cuts at Opel
By Marianne Arens and Peter Schwarz, 7 July 2018
The PSA board intends to sell off large parts of the International Technical Development Centre (ITEZ) in Rüsselsheim, threatening the jobs of thousands of technicians, engineers and developers
Austria: 100,000 demonstrate in Vienna against labour “reforms”
By Markus Salzmann, 5 July 2018
Last Saturday saw the biggest demonstration in the Austrian capital since the 2003 protests against pension reforms.
Europe’s unions pledge unity with big business as trade war escalates
By Robert Stevens, 30 June 2018
While framed around Brexit, the underlying impulse of the joint statement between the union federations and business groups is the developing trade war between the United States and the European Union.
The British UCU Congress and the impossibility of reforming the trade unions
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 26 June 2018
Events at the University and College Union prove that the union bureaucracy is unanswerable for its actions and unaccountable to its members.
Rolls-Royce to shed nearly 5,000 jobs in the UK
By Barry Mason, 21 June 2018
Instead of a campaign to mobilise its 22,000 members employed by Rolls-Royce to fight the cuts, Unite will facilitate whatever restructuring the company demands.
Thousands of jobs to go as UK retail chains rationalise operations
By Barry Mason, 13 June 2018
The latest threats to retail jobs come on top of mounting closures and retrenchments in the retail and food industry.
Germany: IG Metall union and works councils agree to job and wage cuts at Opel
By Dietmar Henning, 2 June 2018
The union and works councils have signed up to almost every demand of PSA boss Carlos Tavares and Opel chief Michael Lohscheller.
As French airport workers and Iranian lorry drivers strike, class struggle spreads in Africa
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
1 June 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
General strike in Greece against Syriza’s latest austerity package
By Robert Stevens, 31 May 2018
The stoppage, nearly the 50th general strike since 2010, saw transport and services in Greece grind to a halt.
Over 10,000 jobs at risk at Deutsche Bank
By Gustav Kemper, 31 May 2018
Germany’s crisis-ridden Deutsche Bank has already slashed 6,000 jobs and closed 188 branches in the past few years.
French rail workers demonstrate after voting against Macron’s privatization
By Alex Lantier, 28 May 2018
A class gulf separates growing working class militancy from the unions’ attempts to negotiate a deal with President Macron’s anti-worker government.
“Human Wave” rallies protest austerity in France
By our reporters, 28 May 2018
The protests took place in nearly 200 cities, according to protest organizers, with 250,000 people participating across France.
Trade unions in lock step with the German government
By Ulrich Rippert, 16 May 2018
The unions act as company police, intimidating workers and developing their own rationalization plans.
French students blockade universities in struggle against selective admissions
By Guillaume Garnier, 15 May 2018
After the March 22 protest of rail and public workers against the privatisation of railways, students launched a movement to blockade universities across France.
The referendum at SNCF: The unions seek to strangle French rail strike
By Alex Lantier, 12 May 2018
The referendum on Macron’s reforms being prepared by the unions for May 14-21 represents a dead-end for railway workers.
Defying the trade unions, Air France workers vote to reject contract
By Alex Lantier, 8 May 2018
Workers defied not only threats from Air France and the government, but also from the union bureaucrats, who demanded that they approve the contract.
French rail workers, teachers protest Macron’s social cuts
By Anthony Torres, 5 May 2018
Rail workers and high school teachers on strike Thursday spoke out against the social cuts and military spending proposed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Germany: IG Metall union sabotages workers’ struggle to defend jobs
By Ulrich Rippert, 27 April 2018
Opel auto workers in Germany are confronting corporate management’s demand for massive cuts in jobs and wages combined with a drastic deterioration of working conditions.
French students, workers march in April 19 protests against Macron
By Anthony Torres, 21 April 2018
The first protest of strikers from multiple professions since November 2017 took place amid spreading blockades of universities by students opposed to Macron.
German public service union closes ranks with the government
By Marianne Arens and Christoph Vandreier, 20 April 2018
The contract deal presented by unions and employers’ associations on Wednesday after a third round of negotiations is a slap in the face to Germany’s 2.3 million public service workers.
University and College Union sells out UK lecturers strike
By Robert Stevens, 18 April 2018
It was to demobilise opposition to its rotten deal with the employers that the UCU cut the number of universities due to walk out this week, before suspending strike action altogether
“Berlin is Burning”: Berlin firefighters’ campaign of resistance raises political issues
By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 18 April 2018
The protests by Berlin firefighters are part of a growing international mobilisation involving teachers, railroad and other workers.
Anti-academy schools protests in UK curtailed by trade unions
By Tom Pearce, 17 April 2018
Any strikes called by the teaching unions, as a way of maintaining control over the anger of staff at the consequences of becoming academies, are being confined to a few single schools.
German public service strikers fear sell-out
By Marianne Arens, 13 April 2018
Public sector workers are demanding real change. However, many fear a sell-out by their union, Verdi.
Strikes in Germany’s public sector as anger mounts over wages and working conditions
By our reporters, 12 April 2018
Amidst a broad mobilization of worker throughout Europe, the unions are doing everything in their power to suppress this anger and prevent a genuine struggle.
Students protest against Macron as strikes against austerity mount in France
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 11 April 2018
All over the country, students are occupying campuses and holding general assemblies and demonstrations.
Strikes mount as National Assembly opens debate on French rail privatization
By Alex Lantier, 10 April 2018
Air France workers are taking strike action today over wage demands, after rail workers mounted a fourth day of rotating strikes yesterday.
As the unions continue talks with the government
French rail workers, students resume strike action against Macron
By Kumaran Ira, 9 April 2018
The trade unions are coordinating with the Macron government to contain the rail workers’ strike movement against the planned privatisation of the French National Railways.
UK: Metropolitan Police admit role in construction blacklist
By Paul Bond, 7 April 2018
As police admitted involvement in the blacklisting of building workers, around 60 campaigners and victims walked out of the Undercover Policing Public Inquiry, angered over a continuing cover-up.
Teachers across the UK vote for industrial action
By Thomas Scripps, 4 April 2018
Representing the vast majority of teachers in the UK, the votes are a response to the catastrophic conditions prevailing in primary and secondary schools across the country.
Germany: Public service trade union announces extension of protest strikes
By Ulrich Rippert, 4 April 2018
Verdi is responding to growing anger and militancy among public employees, who refuse to accept staff reductions and increased workloads while their wages stagnate or decline.
Vote “No” to University and College Union sellout of UK lecturers pension strike
By Robert Stevens, 29 March 2018
The University and College Union’s Higher Education Committee voted to put an inferior pensions’ offer from Universities UK to a ballot, in the face of lecturer’s opposition.
The UK Further Education strike: Lessons of the lecturers’ revolt against the University and College Union
By the Socialist Equality Party (UK), 27 March 2018
The attacks on Further Education staff are central to the Conservative government’s plans to turn education over to the private sector.
Major protests against French President Macron’s austerity measures
By Kumaran Ira, 24 March 2018
The strikes and protests express the social opposition that is developing against the Macron government.
Attend online and call-in forum March 27
The way forward for UK lecturers after the revolt against the University and College Union
24 March 2018
The Socialist Equality Party (UK) is hosting an online and call-in forum for lecturers, college staff, other education workers and students on Tuesday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m.
No to talks with Macron on the privatisation of French railways!
For a political struggle against austerity and militarism in Europe!
By Alex Lantier, 22 March 2018
Workers taking part in a nationwide strike in France on March 22 are confronted with an international political struggle.
Spain’s Amazon workers call first ever strike at Madrid hub
By Alejandro López, 19 March 2018
For more than a year, Amazon has been negotiating with the unions to impose a new agreement that would drastically reduce workers’ rights.
The role of the UCU Left in the effort to shut down the UK lecturers strike
By Robert Stevens, 17 March 2018
From its formation, the UCU Left pledged to work with the right wing within the UCU leadership, and has served to suppress opposition and bolster the authority of the unions.
UK: Lecturers and students speak on struggle to fight savage pension cuts
By our reporters, 17 March 2018
WSWS reporters spoke to striking lecturers and students on picket lines and at rallies Thursday and Friday in London and Glasgow.
UK lecturers resume strike following rebellion against UCU sellout agreement
By Robert Stevens, 15 March 2018
From the beginning of the dispute, the SEP has insisted that the UCU is not an organisation fighting in the interests of workers. It is a tool of management and, as with all the unions, cannot be reformed through rank and file pressure.
UK university lecturers revolt against union sell-out agreement
By Robert Stevens, 14 March 2018
Thousands protested nationally and hundreds of lecturers lobbied outside the union’s headquarters in London Tuesday to demand rejection of a deal reached the previous evening.
“I’m delighted with the voices of solidarity from West Virginia”
Students and lecturers at the University of Aberdeen speak about the issues in the strike
By our reporters, 14 March 2018
Members of the IYSSE spoke to students and striking lecturers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland about the issues in the lecturers’ struggle.
Striking UK lecturers speak out to denounce attempted UCU sell-out: “I’d like to see the membership taking control more as it has done today”
By our reporters, 14 March 2018
World Socialist Web Site reporters interviewed striking lecturers at an all-day protest of several hundred lecturers, students and university workers outside UCU’s headquarters in North London.
Argentine teachers, public workers unions call another limited strike
Workers Struggles: The Americas
13 March 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Britain: 15,000 jobs in retail and leisure under threat, as jobs go throughout economy
By Richard Tyler, 10 March 2018
The high street retail and leisure sectors have been impacted by uncertainty over the consequences of Brexit and online shopping.
UK lecturers speak in support of West Virginia teachers
By our reporters, 7 March 2018
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to striking UK lecturers and other university staff during the first two days of this week’s four-day strike in Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester.
French unions negotiate rail privatization with Macron government
By Anthony Torres, 2 March 2018
The unions and the Macron government plan to discuss for two months how to implement the EU-mandated opening of French railways to private competition by privatizing the SNCF and gutting the rail workers’ statute.
UK university lecturers, college staff and students hold joint protest in London
By our reporters, 1 March 2018
The rally followed the previous day’s talks during which the union signalled its intention to capitulate by offering further concessions over pensions.
The UK lecturer’s dispute and the marketisation of higher education
By Thomas Scripps, 1 March 2018
The attack on university lecturers is one element in a far advanced programme aimed at the destruction of higher education as it has been known for decades.
Skoda workers in the Czech Republic prepare to strike
By Ulrich Rippert, 1 March 2018
The strike preparations at Skoda are part of a growing radicalisation of workers in Eastern Europe, who are no longer willing to accept conditions of extreme exploitation.
French President Macron turns his labor decrees against rail workers
By Alex Lantier, 28 February 2018
On Monday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced plans to end the French rail workers' statute and privatize the French National Railways.
UK lecturers stage second day of national strikes
By Robert Stevens, 24 February 2018
In contrast to the stand by lecturers and students, the University and College Union has insisted that the strikes give way as soon as possible to resumed negotiations.
Lecturers and students stage united protests in Sheffield and Southampton
By our reporters, 24 February 2018
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to lecturers and students at universities around the UK.
Air France workers strike to demand pay increase
By Anthony Torres, 23 February 2018
Rejecting a miserable sweetheart contract negotiated by a group of trade unions closely allied to management, Air France workers took strike action yesterday.
Amazon set to open new depot in Sheffield—“low pay capital of the UK”
By Danny Richardson, 20 February 2018
Sheffield and its surrounding area was previously a major steel producing region with Amazon building its “Fulfilment Centres” in the South Yorkshire area on shuttered steel plants.
UK “gig economy” worker’s death tied to no sick pay, no sick leave
By Margot Miller, 17 February 2018
According to the McKinsey Global Institute, five million people are employed, either full or part-time, for courier firms, minicab apps such as Uber or takeaways such as Deliveroo.
IG Metall union shuts down strike by hundreds of thousands in Germany
By Christoph Vandreier, 7 February 2018
The suppression of the strike paves the way for the formation of a grand coalition government that will slash workers’ wages and benefits to pay for military rearmament.
Half a million metalworkers participate in strikes in Germany
By our reporters, 3 February 2018
On Friday, the all-day warning strikes in the metal and electrical industries culminated with hundreds of thousands of workers on strike.
French workers support growing mass strikes in Germany
By V. Gnana and Alex Lantier, 3 February 2018
“If we support their struggle today, they will support our struggle tomorrow,” said a day laborer working multiple jobs in Paris.
German industrial workers shut down auto sector as strikes spread
By our reporters, 2 February 2018
Workers in the automotive and electrical industries are striking for a third consecutive day for higher wages and the voluntary reduction of the workweek.
“Our job is like working in a slaughterhouse”
French retirement home workers strike to defend elderly, working conditions
By Anthony Torres, 2 February 2018
In an unprecedented event on Tuesday, workers at retirement homes (Ehpad) across France overwhelmingly followed calls for strike action.
Tens of thousands of German industrial workers on strike
By our reporters, 1 February 2018
Up to 500,000 workers are participating in one-day strikes in Germany’s automotive and electrical industries, the largest strikes in the sector for 15 years.
Hundreds of thousands of industrial workers strike in Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 31 January 2018
Germany’s biggest strike wave in 15 years is another sign that 2018 will see an intensification of class struggle internationally.
German industrial workers poised to launch massive strikes
By Dietmar Henning, 29 January 2018
Due to the militant atmosphere in the plants, the IG Metall union was compelled against its wishes to break off the fifth round of collective bargaining talks in Baden-Württemberg.
Germany: IG Metall greets far-right AfD participants at union protest
By our correspondents, 23 January 2018
The reactionary orientation of the union was most evident when an IGM functionary greeted the participation of the far-right AfD on the demonstration.
Carillion collapse in UK leaves pension scheme deficit of £2.6 billion
By Robert Stevens, 22 January 2018
A Sky News investigation revealed that Carillion’s debts and pension liabilities were almost double the amount initially cited.
UK: The political lessons of Carillion’s collapse
By Julie Hyland, 17 January 2018
When CEOs, accountants, regulators and governments are all implicated in such events, it is not the corruption of a single corporate entity that is at issue, but the capitalist profit system itself.
UK: Carillion collapse threatens jobs and pensions, exposing plunder of social assets
By Julie Hyland, 16 January 2018
There are reports of banks shifting Carillion off their balance sheets over the last months in anticipation of its inevitable folding.
The merger of Germany’s Thyssen with Tata Steel
Vote “No” on union-backed steel contract! Defend all jobs!
By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 16 January 2018
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei calls upon steelworkers at ThyssenKrupp to reject the contract negotiated by the IG Metall trade union and to take measures to prepare a struggle to defend all jobs.
German industrial workers continue strikes
By Ulrich Rippert, 13 January 2018
The IG Metall trade union is increasingly concerned by the unrest and radical atmosphere in the plants, but has indicated its readiness to compromise and reach a sell-out deal.
Greek workers stop work in opposition to Syriza anti-strike and austerity measures
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2018
Strikes shut down the Athens rail system, ships were unable to sail, and state-run hospitals were forced to rely on reserve staff.
160,000 industrial workers strike in Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 11 January 2018
Amid widespread anger over social inequality and corporate job-cutting, there is a growing determination to fight for improvements in wages and working conditions.
French automaker PSA colludes with unions to prepare mass job cuts
By Alex Lantier, 10 January 2018
PSA Peugeot-Citroën is slashing jobs across Europe and in France, where it is using provisions of President Emmanuel Macron’s antidemocratic labor decrees.
French chemical industry unions back contract violating minimum wage laws
By Alex Lantier, 8 January 2018
Backed by the European Union, President Emmanuel Macron is using his labor decrees to try to scrap basic social rights won by the working class.
Volkswagen plans to dismiss all temporary contract workers in German plants
By Dietmar Henning, 8 January 2018
VW’s mass firing of temporary contract workers is the prelude to sweeping job cuts and attacks on the gains of all autoworkers.
UK rail workers continue strikes against Driver Only Operated train plans
By Michael Barnes, 8 January 2018
As dangerous incidents begin to escalate, the rail companies and the Tory government refuse to retreat in their war against conductors’ jobs.
UK workers confront rising job losses in 2018
By Tony Robson, 8 January 2018
At no point have Unite, GMB, the retail workers union, USDAW, or any other, even mooted a fight in defence of a single job.
Regional transport workers strike in Netherlands
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
5 January 2018
A 24-hour strike involving some 12,000 workers hit bus and train service on Thursday in the Netherlands to demand better pay and working conditions.
Macron turns France’s labor decrees on auto workers
By Alex Lantier, 29 December 2017
The announcement of mass layoffs by Europe’s second-largest automaker is part of a relentless international assault on workers' jobs, working conditions and social rights.
Israeli workers protest job cuts
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
29 December 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Massive job cuts at Opel and Vauxhall
By Marianne Arens, 23 December 2017
The management board, works council and IG Metall union have agreed on a drastic reduction in staff and labour costs at Opel to make the company more profitable.
Engineering workers occupy three BiFab yards in Scotland
By Darren Paxton and Sandy Campbell, 23 December 2017
Although workers effectively took control of the yards, the GMB and Unite trade unions were at pains to insist the action was a “work-in.”
Wildcat strike stops production as workers eject union leaders at Ford Romania
By Eric London, 23 December 2017
The spontaneous walkout took place the day after Ford and the union agreed to a sellout contract with similar terms as those imposed on workers in the US and Canada.
General Electric follows Siemens in announcing mass layoffs
By Gustav Kemper, 12 December 2017
The American conglomerate General Electric announced the layoff of 12,000 workers last week, including 4,500 in Europe.
Protesting workers at bankrupt Air Berlin denounce Merkel government
By Gustav Kemper, 27 November 2017
More than a thousand employees of the insolvent airline gathered Wednesday in front of Berlin Central Station for a demonstration against imminent mass redundancies.
Bus workers in northwest England escalate strikes for pay parity
By John Newham, 27 November 2017
As more disputes erupt, the unions are doing everything to contain the situation and oppose any united offensive by transport workers.
Strikes at five UK rail companies
By our reporter, 13 November 2017
Outside London Waterloo, the UK’s busiest train station, large pickets were mounted as up to half of all services were cancelled.
Plant closures and layoffs on the agenda at German conglomerate Siemens
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 9 November 2017
Several thousand job cuts will hit Siemens Group's Power Generation sector as well as its subsidiary, Siemens Gamesa, which manufactures wind turbines.
Siemens and Alstom rail train units merge as corporations prepare for trade war
By Gustav Kemper, 6 October 2017
The merger of the two companies, with 62,000 employees and an annual turnover of around 15 billion euros, creates the world’s second-largest railway technology company.
Monarch Airlines collapse causes air travel chaos
By Steve James, 3 October 2017
Monarch is the third major European airline to go under this year.
Millions of European workers in precarious employment
By Verena Nees, 26 September 2017
On the 150th anniversary of Marx’s Capital, a new report reveals how European capitalism has created a huge army of precarious workers, plunging millions into poverty.
Portuguese nurses strike against an 11-year pay freeze
By Ajanta Silva and Paul Mitchell, 20 September 2017
Despite Socialist Party government threats, some 85 percent of the 70,000 nurses in the country took part in the strike, bringing services to a halt.
French unions try to strangle workers’ opposition to Macron
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 19 September 2017
The unions, whose strike calls are carefully prepared beforehand with the government, are terrified of being outflanked on their left by an eruption of workers’ struggles.
UK: Pay cap for majority of public sector workers to continue, despite government defeat
By Robert Stevens, 14 September 2017
August saw a further precipitous decline in living standards for all workers, due to the rising cost of fuel, clothes and food imports, with wages as a share of national income the lowest since the Second World War.
Royal College of Nursing union holds rally in London
No answers to attacks on public health care
By Ajanta Silva and Paul Mitchell, 8 September 2017
The “Summer of Action” was largely restricted to appeals to MPs and photo opportunities for RCN bureaucrats and union officials making occasional media appearances.
Rank-and-file committees needed to take forward UK rail workers' safety fight
By Tony Robson, 6 September 2017
Workers need to take the dispute out of the hands of the ASLEF and the RMT and link it with a broader struggle against austerity and cost-cutting in the public and private sectors.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
Portuguese Volkswagen workers rebel against Workers Commission collaboration
2 September 2017
Volkswagen workers in Portugal launched a strike against the German-based automaker the week over extended Saturday working.
Unions help Caterpillar restructure with closure of Belgian operations
By Ross Mitchell, 30 August 2017
The Caterpillar plant in Gosselies was the biggest industrial site in Wallonia, Belgium’s southern, primarily French-speaking region.
Follow the WSWS