Italy's traditional month-long summer break, villeggiatura, rooted in postwar labour rights, faces decline due to deregulation and luxury commercialization, yet remains a cherished national ritual emphasizing rest as a fundamental right.
Sally McManus is stepping down as the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions after nearly a decade, having shaped worker-friendly legislation under three prime ministers.
Melissa Donnelly, national secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, has been elected as the next head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, succeeding Sally McManus.
GMB union pushes for recognition at Octopus Energy, a UK renewable energy leader, citing staff desire for unionisation despite company claims of no demand and highlighting shared ownership. The move contrasts with GMB's fossil fuel drilling stance, criticized by climate groups, while Greenpeace UK supports union involvement in the low-carbon transition.
Britain's GMB union has asked Labour MPs to vote against proposed caps on political donations, arguing it could harm union funding for the party. The union stated that affiliation arrangements differ from donations and face existing regulations. The debate comes amid controversy over funding for Reform UK.
City bosses and trade unions are clashing over a potential tax on UK banks to fund support for struggling households. While bankers warn of "economic suicide," unions argue Britain can't be "held hostage" by lobbyists, citing rising costs and defense needs. Andy Burnham's proposal for extra household support has reignited debate on a bank windfall tax.
An anti-racism rally in Edinburgh drew thousands in solidarity with victims of alleged anti-Muslim attacks, where 5 were injured and a suspect faces terrorism-linked attempted murder charges.
Nigel Farage's invitation for UK trade unions to affiliate with Reform UK has been unanimously rejected by major unions and the TUC, citing the party's opposition to new employment rights and alignment with corporate interests.
Undisclosed messages from Darren Jones to Peter Mandelson show Jones seeking advice on a reshuffle, criticizing colleagues, and expressing career ambitions. Mandelson, sacked as US ambassador due to Epstein links, refused to disclose his messages, leading to parliamentary demands for transparency.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced a 50% salary cut to quell anti-government protests, but the move was rejected by demonstrators who continue to demand his resignation and clash with police in La Paz.
Hunan Federation of Trade Unions marked its 100th anniversary with an awards ceremony in Changsha, recognizing outstanding collectives and individuals with national and provincial May 1st Labor Awards and 'Worker Pioneer' titles.
TUC leader Paul Nowak voiced anger over Labour's perceived lack of change and Keir Starmer's leadership, warning of Reform UK's rise. He urged focus on working-class issues and suggested Andy Burnham could be a strong contender.
Labour lost its century-long hold on Wales in a Senedd election shock, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK winning seats in former Labour strongholds like Tredegar. Voters expressed disillusionment with Labour, citing a disconnect from working people and concerns about the rise of Reform UK.
The Trades Union Congress has called for a ban on dynamic pricing in the gig economy, publishing a report with testimonies from Uber drivers who describe their earnings as akin to "gambling" or "waiting for the jackpot." The report, compiled with Worker Info Exchange and Nottingham Trent University, reveals that Uber introduced dynamic pricing in 2023, replacing fixed rates with opaque algorithmic pay determination. A University of Oxford study found drivers earned substantially less after the change, while Uber increased its commission from 20% to 25%.
A 25-year-old Hong Kong woman was cheated out of more than HK$2.25 million (US$287,190) over one month after responding to a part-time job posting offering HK$90 an hour. The victim, who had quit her university research assistant job due to health issues, was tricked into signing documents for a fake lawyer assisting a mainland financier, taken to three loan companies in one day, and asked to open virtual bank accounts to transfer money to scammers.
