COGNICURRENT

Breanna Stewart discusses the unresolved issues in negotiations between the WNBA and the players' union ahead of a critical deadline for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Chinese government departments are preparing for potential demands from President Trump ahead of the upcoming Trump-Xi summit.

The South Korean government has released a manual stating that under the new Yellow Envelope Law, subcontractor unions will negotiate separately from primary contractor unions.

Twelve public and state service unions have sent an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, expressing concerns over the low level of social dialogue and ministers' commitment to collective bargaining.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent visit to China aimed to strengthen trade ties and address concerns over the trade deficit as tensions rise with the Trump administration.

A new three-year collective agreement for 500,000 municipal employees in Denmark has been finalized, praised for its complexity and success by union leaders.

Workers in the tourism and catering sectors are holding a nationwide strike in Greece, demanding better working conditions and a collective labor agreement.

Commerce workers in Argentina received fixed contributions to their salaries in March 2026 as part of a collective agreement between unions and employers.

The Verdi union has called for warning strikes in public transport across Germany on February 27th and 28th, causing major disruptions to bus and train services.

Seven Argentine governors are forming a new coalition to influence national economic and political agendas amid a shifting political landscape.

The PRI in the Senate has refused to acknowledge the federal government's claim of success regarding the capture of 'El Mencho', expressing concerns over the government's strategies to manage the aftermath of the event.

A Brazilian reader expresses concern over proposed political compromises regarding investigations and penalties associated with former President Bolsonaro and a congressional CPI.

The US is organizing meetings in Geneva with Russian and Chinese representatives to discuss a potential multilateral treaty for nuclear weapons control.

A union has issued a significant strike warning affecting nearly 1,500 entities in Finland's private social services sector amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.

U.S. President Trump's recent remarks about consulting with China on arms sales may jeopardize Taiwan's defense budget as internal political dynamics shift in Taipei.

The Czech government is accused of using parliamentary immunity as a bargaining chip, risking political stability as high-profile criminal proceedings affect lawmakers.

Union membership in the US reached a 16-year high in 2025, with 14.7 million workers belonging to unions, despite efforts to diminish union power by the Trump administration.

The South Korean Ministry of Labor is establishing a committee ahead of the implementation of the Yellow Envelope Law to assist in determining the employer status of primary contractors in relation to subcontractor unions.

Gustavo Rivara, an Argentine freed after over a year of captivity in Venezuela, recounts his illegal detention and maltreatment in a Caracas prison, claiming he was used as a bargaining chip by authorities.

Employers and trade unions in Estonia have reached a compromise agreement regarding the minimum wage, setting it at 946 euros for 2026.

The Greek Parliament is currently engaged in a two-day discussion on the Ministry of Labor's bill aimed at enhancing collective labor agreements.

The National Bargaining Council is suing Drake Clothing for failing to comply with labor laws, alleging that workers are paid below minimum wage and are subjected to deplorable working conditions.

The leader of the academic union criticizes KL's proposal for collective bargaining as it threatens to undermine salaries for academics in favor of funding for other professions.

Kostas Tsoukala criticized the Greek government for presenting an incomplete labor bill, emphasizing the need for reinstating collective bargaining rights and minimum wage regulations.

Bus drivers and other local transport workers in Bavaria are striking for higher wages, disrupting services in cities such as Munich, Nuremberg, and Passau.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te asserts that Taiwan should not be used as a bargaining chip in U.S.-China negotiations and warns of potential regional consequences from Chinese aggression.

Volkswagen's works council has called for bonuses for all employees following an unexpectedly high cash inflow at the company.

Rod Sims argues that Canada should reinforce media bargaining codes, drawing inspiration from Australia, rather than undermine them during negotiations with tech companies like Meta.

The Danish Ministry of Finance has announced a press conference regarding a new collective bargaining agreement in the public sector.

Collective bargaining agreements at the beginning of the year reflect a modest salary increase of 2.9%, marking the lowest adjustment in two years.

Deutsche Bahn has proposed a six percent salary increase in an effort to prevent strikes during the ongoing collective bargaining with the GDL union.

The Pakistan Cricket Board's recent U-turn regarding the India-Pakistan cricket match reveals its political failures and the use of the boycott as a bargaining tool.

The salaries of nurses in Argentina for February 2026 are determined by various collective labor agreements and negotiated by the Federation of Associations of Health Workers.

Building managers in Argentina are set to receive a salary increase and a bonus in February 2026 as part of the recent collective bargaining agreement.

Commerce sector workers are receiving fixed payments following the latest collective bargaining agreement established by the Federation of Argentine Commerce and Service Employees (FAECYS), which will be in effect until March and directly affects their monthly income.

The union Verdi has announced new warning strikes in local transport starting next week, but the exact timing and locations are still unclear following a dispute in the collective bargaining round.

A new legal opinion raises questions about the legality of union membership without collective bargaining, highlighting tensions in the employer-employee relationship.

House conservatives express concerns that a deal between President Trump and Senate Democrats undermines Republican bargaining power on Department of Homeland Security funding and immigration policies.

Paolo Capone, the General Secretary of UGL, emphasizes the importance of shared choices and strong institutional frameworks in collective bargaining to ensure better worker protections.

Most local trains and buses in Germany are at a standstill today due to a nationwide strike initiated by the Verdi union as part of ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.

The omission of key references in the US defense strategy has led to concerns in Taiwan about being used as a bargaining chip in relations between Washington and Beijing.

Lehendakari Imanol Pradales warns Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that the Statute should not be used as a bargaining chip or tool for political survival, emphasizing the unacceptability of its distortion ahead of signing new transfer agreements.

The return of allowances outlined in collective labor agreements is key to increasing average salaries, facilitated by the reintroduction of full retroactivity as stipulated in the Ministry of Labor's bill to strengthen collective bargaining agreements.

Spanish farmers express strong opposition to the EU's trade agreement with Mercosur, feeling that their agricultural sector is being undervalued and used as a bargaining chip in exchanges.

The Valencian government, led by José Antonio Rovira, emphasizes the importance of transparency in the finance agreement with the central government and seeks to understand the specifics of what was negotiated.

The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) begins collective bargaining with Deutsche Bahn, with no strikes planned until the end of February, emphasizing constructive negotiations.

French farmers have taken to the streets in Paris to protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement, blocking several roads and demanding that the agricultural sector not be used as a bargaining chip.

Catalan farmers and professional associations have resumed protests against the European roadmap, specifically against the Mercosur agreement and cuts in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), leading to roadblocks including the Port of Tarragona.

As the new year begins, many employees reflect on their jobs and set fresh goals, including salary negotiations, as advisers offer tips for effective approaches.

Significant wage increases in the private sector are expected to reach 15-20% for major categories of workers by 2026 due to a government-social partners agreement aimed at resuming collective bargaining.