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.

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.

19 January, 2012LabourStart launches an online solidarity campaign in support of the Mexican Electrical Workers' Union. Affiliates are requested to support the campaign by signing the online protest letter.

18 January, 2012Following discussions between BMW and IMF's british affiliate Unite, BMW has agreed not to proceed with its plan to close it's current pension scheme to new entrants, and that it will not use the "Swedish derogation" to avoid equal pay for agency workers.

18 January, 2012European shipping companies export hazardous waste to developing countries to avoid the costs of proper disposal. The NGO Shipbreaking Platform, a coalition of environmental and labour organizations, calls on the EU Commission to act and prevent toxic waste trade of European end-of-life ships.

17 January, 2012Master Courses in Labour Policies and Globalisation are about to start in Germany and India. Trade unionists and labour activists are invited to apply.