24 enero, 2012Over 150,000 workers came out on the streets of Norway to protest against the imposition of a new EU directive on temporary agency workers. The directive can undermine collective agreements by permitting temporary contracts which currently have to be agreed with the unions.

24 enero, 2012In January Fair Labor Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending sweatshop conditions in factories worldwide, announced Apple was admitted as a "Participating Company". That means that Apple promises to clean its supply chains from labour abuses during the coming two years. While welcoming this move GoodElectronics promises to watch closely whether the membership means Apple takes action on key problems.

24 enero, 2012Italian metalworkers' unions Fim-Cisl and Fiom-Cgil say the official EU report on arms exports is flawed, incomplete and too late. They are among the promoters of the Arms Control Network Rete Italiana per il Disarmo, one of the signatories of a critical appeal against lax European arms export control.

7 marzo, 2012The Global Union Federations IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF join the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) demanding Egyptian authorities drop charges against Kamal Abbas, general coordinator of the Egyptian Center for Trade Union and Workers' Services, sentenced for six month imprisonment in February 2012.

7 marzo, 2012On March 5 the management of Benteler Kaluga (Russia) agreed to negotiate a collective agreement with the Interregional Trade Union of Autoworkers (ITUA). Its previous decision to refuse negotiations was withdrawn.

23 noviembre, 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 noviembre, 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.

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