1 December, 2011Hundreds of thousands of workers descended on the streets in Batam in the Indonesian Riau Islands province known for its free trade zone, demanding decent minimum wages. They were met with rubber bullets and tear gas.

1 December, 2011ICEM's Congress in Buenos Aires unanimously approves the creation of a new global union organization in June 2012. Senzeni Zokwana is re-elected President and Manfred Warda General Secretary.

25 November, 2011Unions representing Philips workers decide to form a global network to work on labour issues in the company and its suppliers

23 November, 2011European metalworkers' unions call on all workers employed by ArcelorMittal and its subcontractors to take part in a European solidarity action on December 7 to protest against plant closures, restructuring plans and job cuts in Europe's leading steelmaker.

23 November, 2011The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) is calling for a general strike on November 24, to protest against exploitation and impoverishment in Portugal in the wake of the financial crisis, and the demands of the International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank.

20 December, 2011On December 17, 2011, workers at the IKEA-owned Swedwood plant in Danville, USA, voted for their first collective bargaining agreement which will go into effect on January 1, 2012.

2 December, 2011Unions in Bulgaria organized a nationwide protest action on November 30 in response to the government's announced austerity measures. The Government later backed down from pensions cuts.

2 December, 2011Bargaining resulted in wage increases of 31% for the 200 workers at General Motors East Africa. The agreement was welcomed by both parties.

2 December, 2011The Metalworkers' Union of Piracicaba, affiliated to Força Sindical, has just concluded a new collective agreement with Caterpillar management resulting in improved purchasing power and benefits for workers.

1 December, 2011The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) signed a Global Framework Agreement (GFA) with Petróleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, the world's third largest energy company.