United Kingdom. Six months of Labour government: between political priorities and financial constraints
Jacques FREYSSINET
Following the elections of 4 July 2024, the Labour government is faced with tricky decisions. Its election platform contains promises which would be costly to keep, inheriting as it does a mediocre economic trajectory and a poor budgetary situation. In this context, it is prioritizing improving individual and collective employment rights, while imposing unpopular social welfare sacrifices. In parallel, progress is being made in the matter of wages. Unions are providing watchful support to the new leadership.
Keywords: United Kingdom, Labour government, employment rights, social welfare, wages.
Belgium (French-speaking). Looking back at the social dynamics of conflictuality in the health sector (2019-2024)
Maria Cecilia TRIONFETTI and Natalia HIRTZ
In 2019, historic mobilizations in the Belgian health sector gave rise to an interprofessional, inter-union movement, bringing together staff and service users in defence of healthcare, which continued into 2020. In response, the government called together employer and union bodies to propose the signing of social agreements for 2021-2024. The negotiation of sector-level collective agreements became the focal point for tensions, with the consolidation of conflicts giving way to more defensively-oriented local or sector-level conflicts.
Keywords: Belgium, health, interprofessional movement, inter-union movement, defence of healthcare, sector-wide agreement.
Germany. Volkswagen's social model preserved by a new agreement on jobs
Udo REHFELDT
In September 2024, the management at Volkswagen announced its intention to close factories in Germany and reneged on the majority of its collective agreements, demanding salary sacrifices to increase profitability. The union IG Metall reacted by mobilizing workers and proposing an alternative plan. At the end of 2024, a new collective agreement was concluded. It provides for pay restraint and cuts to 35,000 jobs between now and 2030, with no mass redundancies or site closures. However, concerns linger as to the funding of the energy transition by the federal government.
Keywords: Germany, Volkswagen, IG Metall, collective agreement, jobs, pay restraint.
United States. Boeing facing a 53-day strike, against a backdrop of industrial and financial setbacks
Catherine SAUVIAT
The Boeing group has just renewed its company-level collective agreement with its main representative union, the International Association of Machinists (IAM), under pressure from a strike that lasted 53 days. Significant concessions have been won by union members, after years of wage stagnation, as the group, under pressure from the competition and financial markets, falls prey to a succession of major industrial setbacks which have not only stained its reputation but also plunged it into a critical financial situation.
Keywords: United Kingdom, Boeing, strike, collective agreement, 737 Max, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), financialization, externalization.
United States. Health insurance companies, at the heart of public resentment and frustration with the healthcare system
Catherine SAUVIAT
The assassination of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the United States, has put the American healthcare system and its dysfunctions at the heart of the media debate. This article looks back over recent changes in the system, its extremely high costs, the dominance of increasingly consolidated and financialized insurance companies, and their commercial practices, like claim denial, which have caused a resurgence in public anger and frustrations.
Keywords: United States, health insurance companies, consolidation, financialization, premiums, Obamacare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid.