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Unions across India staged nationwide demonstrations to oppose new labor policies they say weaken worker protections and expand employer control. The protests, which included marches, strikes, and disruptions in several major cities, criticized the government for consolidating labor laws in ways unions argue make it easier to hire and fire workers and undermine collective bargaining. Officials defended the reforms as necessary to modernize the economy, but unions vowed to intensify resistance.

Employees at several Amazon warehouses in Germany launched strikes on Black Friday, demanding higher wages and better working conditions as part of a long-running dispute between the company and the Verdi union. The walkouts targeted one of Amazon’s busiest shopping days, though Amazon said the disruptions would not affect customer deliveries. Verdi argued that Amazon continues to refuse sector-wide collective bargaining agreements standard in Germany’s retail and logistics industries.

A federal appeals court upheld a National Labor Relations Board ruling that security contractor Constellis illegally fired firearms instructor Michael Macri after he raised serious health and safety concerns about ricocheting bullets and PPE bans at the ranges. The Fourth Circuit rejected the company’s argument that Macri was a “manager” excluded from NLRA protections, holding that instructors lacked policy-making authority and that the judicially created managerial exception must be construed narrowly to preserve workers’ rights to act for their mutual aid and protection on safety issues.

Workers at 16 Swatch stores across Turkey ended a strike after more than two weeks, accepting a new union-brokered contract. The agreement includes significant pay raises, better working conditions, and enhanced social benefits — a response to inflation and cost-of-living pressures that initially sparked the walkout. Union leaders call the deal an important precedent for retail workers nationwide.

Security guards at the Bank of England, who had planned a strike over pay disputes, have accepted a revised offer and called off the action. The new agreement gives them two 4% pay increases (one retroactive to March 2025, another in March 2026) and an extra day of annual leave. The resolution averts disruption at one of the UK’s most important financial institutions.

A union representing Starbucks baristas has broadened its indefinite strike to over 120 stores across 85 cities — up from 65 stores at the start — in a move timed for Black Friday, traditionally one of the chain’s busiest days. The union demands improved pay, staffing, and resolution of unfair labor-practice complaints. Starbucks says 99% of U.S. stores remain open and does not expect major disruption.

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction stopping New York’s labor board from enforcing a new state law that would let it handle private-sector labor disputes while the National Labor Relations Board lacks a quorum. The ruling sided with Amazon, which argued the law illegally intrudes on federal authority under long-standing labor precedent. The case stems from PERB’s attempt to hear a complaint involving the firing of a union leader at Amazon’s JFK8 warehouse, and the judge said allowing the state board to proceed risked conflicting rulings and irreparable harm.

A union which represents roughly 2 million workers at major Japanese manufacturers, announced plans to demand a base pay increase of about 12,000 yen (~US$77/month) in 2026 — the same target as last year. This push signals continued union pressure for wage growth in Japan’s industrial sector, at a time when inflation and economic stagnation have eroded real incomes. It may influence broader wage negotiations nationwide.

The telecom giant Telefonica plans to lay off 5,040 workers in Spain — roughly 20% of its workforce — as part of a cost-cutting strategy. Unions say the cuts would affect major divisions like Telefónica España and Telefónica Móviles, sparking fears of large-scale job losses and labor unrest. Such a large round of layoffs could trigger widespread industrial action and negotiations across Europe’s telecommunications sector. It also underscores growing pressure on companies to reduce costs amid uncertain macroeconomic conditions.

A union drive led by the United Auto Workers has begun at a large electric-vehicle battery manufacturing complex in Kentucky, signaling the union’s push into the growing EV supply chain. The effort reflects broader labor momentum in key sectors as workers seek to organize and improve conditions in rapidly expanding industries.