Western Europe
German unions agree to mass layoffs in printing machine industry
By Gustav Kemper, October 13, 2009
German trade unions are playing a key role in the destruction of thousands of jobs at the world largest manufacturers of printing presses, Heidelberg Printmachine AG (HDM) and Manroland.
Britain’s bosses call for university tuition hike
By Joseph Mount, October 13, 2009
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has released a report demanding that the government raise university tuition fees from £3,225 to at least £5,000 a year.
The racist outburst of German Federal Bank executive member Thilo Sarrazin
By Justus Leicht, October 13, 2009
Using language usually associated with far-right parties, Federal Bank executive committee member Thilo Sarrazin (of the Social Democratic Party) denounced the most vulnerable layers of society.
Britain’s Conservatives outline plans for an “age of austerity”
By Chris Marsden, October 10, 2009
The Conservatives’ annual conference saw the party campaigning to win power in next year’s General Election with a message directed to the wealthy and the business elite.
Britain: Postal workers vote for national strike
By Robert Stevens, October 9, 2009
Postal workers in Britain voted Thursday for national strike action in their ongoing dispute with the state-run Royal Mail.
Leeds refuse workers vote to continue strike
SEP (Britain) warns against sellout by union leadership
By our reporter, October 9, 2009
At a mass meeting of striking refuse workers in Leeds yesterday, the 300 strikers present voted to continue their five-week strike against attempts to slash wages by up to £6,000 a year.
France: New Anti-Capitalist Party prepares “unitary” coalition with state parties
By Kumaran Ira and Antoine Lerougetel, October 9, 2009
The New Anti-Capitalist Party of Olivier Besançenot met with Stalinist and social-democratic parties and the trade unions to further declare its support for an emerging right-wing consensus in the Fr...
Western media steps up pressure on China over Iran
By John Chan, October 8, 2009
As US pressure escalates against Iran over its nuclear programs, a distinct anti-China undercurrent has appeared in the media over Beijing’s resistance to backing punitive new sanctions against Tehr...
Opel/Vauxhall takeover by Magna
Unions play off workers against one another
By Dietmar Henning, October 8, 2009
The German unions are doing everything to ensure the contract is finalised between Opel, Vauxhall, GM and Magna, while haggling has begun between the unions represented at the various European locatio...
Bosnia faces collapse
By Paul Mitchell, October 8, 2009
A number of reports have pointed to the increasing threat of Bosnia and Herzegovina collapsing, and even about the possibility of war breaking out.
British care industry using foreign students as cheap labour
By Ajantha Silva, October 8, 2009
Employers in privately run nursing homes, care homes, and care agencies are more and more dependent on foreign students as their main source of cheap, skilled and flexible labour.
Roman Polanski denied bail in Switzerland
By Hiram Lee, October 7, 2009
The Swiss Justice Ministry has denied Roman Polanski's request for release from prison while awaiting extradition. The media frenzy surrounding the case continues.
