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In the United States, multiple unions have filed a lawsuit to block planned staffing cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing the layoffs violate a law passed to prohibit federal job losses tied to the recent government shutdown. Unions say the cuts were not approved by Congress and challenge the administration’s broader approach to reshaping federal workforce policy. The legal action highlights increasing labor–management conflicts over federal employment security amid budget battles.

The CGT union representing workers at LVMH’s champagne divisions, including Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot, announced a new strike planned for Feb. 3, 2026. This follows earlier walkouts in January and December, with employees demanding compensation they say was lost from year-end bonus payouts. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between luxury conglomerates and labor groups over pay and benefits.

The German trade union Verdi has called a near-nationwide strike for Monday, urging around 100,000 bus and commuter rail workers to walk out amid stalled contract talks with municipal and state employers. The action could effectively bring public transportation systems to a standstill, as workers press for shorter hours, longer breaks and improved pay for unsocial shifts. Authorities and unions continue negotiations but have yet to reach an agreement.

Announcing plans to cut 16,000 jobs globally, Amazon follows a similar reduction of 14,000 roles just three months earlier. The company said the cuts are part of an effort to streamline management and reduce internal complexity, while continuing to hire in strategic areas. Most positions affected are expected to be in the United States, with a smaller number of corporate roles impacted in the UK.

Susan Grundmann, the former chair of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, has withdrawn her lawsuit challenging President Trump’s decision to remove her from office, following a federal appeals court ruling that upheld similar firings of officials from other labor agencies. The decision reflects a broader judicial shift favoring greater presidential control over independent federal agencies. The case raised significant questions about the independence of labor boards that oversee disputes between federal agencies and public-sector unions.

Thousands of nurses and health care workers represented by UNAC/UHCP began an open-ended strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California and Hawaii, citing stalled negotiations and alleged unfair labor practices by management. The walkout affects dozens of hospitals and clinics and follows months of bargaining disputes, including claims that Kaiser abandoned talks late last year. Kaiser says negotiations are ongoing and that not all affiliated unions are participating in the strike.

Paris’s world-famous Louvre Museum has stayed closed to tourists on certain days as staff continue labor strikes over pay, staffing and working conditions, issues that have lingered alongside operational disruptions from a high-profile jewelry heist. Workers say the protest over employment terms persists despite the museum’s attempts to manage reopening and security improvements.

Hundreds of Minnesota businesses, schools and community groups participated in an economic blackout day to protest aggressive federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that have sparked widespread demonstrations. The action, encouraged by labor unions, faith leaders and activists, urged residents to stay home from work, school and shopping to show solidarity with immigrant communities and demand an end to federal immigration enforcement tactics in the state.

Applications for U.S. unemployment benefits increased modestly last week, with about 200,000 new jobless claims, up from 199,000 the previous week, according to the Labor Department. The four-week average of claims fell slightly, suggesting layoffs remain low and the broader labor market still shows resilience despite economic uncertainty.

In the United Kingdom, former TikTok content moderators have launched legal action after hundreds were dismissed shortly before a planned vote to establish a union. The workers argue the timing and scale of the layoffs amount to unfair dismissal and unlawful interference with trade union activity, while pointing to the mental health risks associated with moderating violent and disturbing content. TikTok denies the allegations, stating the job cuts were part of a global restructuring driven by increased reliance on automated content moderation tools. The case raises broader questions about worker protections, union rights, and the impact of AI-driven restructuring in the UK tech sector.