The attack on the public sector workers by the communes and Laender (regional states) in most parts of Germany is much more than the “usual” annual or bi-annual bargaining round. Read more...

The Irish Ferries strike ended yesterday (14th December) amidst much back-slapping. Read more...

The unofficial action taken by the Irish Ferries workers in recent days has rewritten industrial relations in Ireland. The principled and heroic stand taken by the Irish Ferries workers in the face of the disgusting bullying tactics of the bosses is to be applauded. We call on all workers in Ireland and across Europe to rally behind them immediately and forcefully. This is a dispute Irish and European labour cannot afford to lose! Read more...

Howard’s coalition government has succeeded in getting its anti-union, anti-working class legislation through the Senate. The Nationals’ senator Barnaby Joyce was again a pathetic attention seeker who of course made no effort to actually make any changes to the laws. Read more...

On 25 November the three largest trade union confederations in Italy (CGIL, CISL, UIL) staged a half-day general strike against the Berlusconi government’s new cuts, outlined in the budget for 2006. The government refused point blank to enter into negotiations with the unions over the package. Read more...

On 19 November around 30,000 people demonstrated in defence of public services and against privatisations. The turnout reflected the fact that the main union federation, the CGT, effectively boycotted it. Read more...

600,000 workers demonstrated across Australia on 15 November against premier John Howard’s draconian anti-union laws. The demonstrations were the largest in Australian history with only one exception, the antiwar mobilisation of 15 February 2003. Read more...

A four week indefinite strike by 18,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) dramatically curtailed production across Boeing, main facilities, forcing the giant aircraft manufacturer to concede on workers' pensions and healthcare. But just two weeks after negotiating a return to work, the bosses have demanded 235 job cuts at its Wichita plant. Read more...