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Germany's IG Metall union expanded strike action across the metal and electrical engineering industries as negotiations over a new wage agreement remained unresolved. The dispute affects approximately 3.7 million workers, including employees at Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Tata Steel. The union is demanding a 5% wage increase, stronger job protections, and profit-sharing arrangements, while rejecting an employer proposal that would delay raises until 2028. Additional strikes are expected throughout the week as unions increase pressure on employers to improve their offer.

New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits declined to 194,000, their lowest level since mid-July, indicating that employers continue to lay off relatively few workers. The four-week average also fell to 196,750, with weekly claims remaining at or below 200,000 for seven consecutive weeks. Despite the low level of layoffs, hiring remains subdued, with employers adding only 29,000 jobs in September compared with an average of 68,000 per month so far this year. The figures suggest that while existing employees are generally retaining their jobs, workers seeking new employment may face fewer opportunities in a cautious labor market.

Tens of thousands of workers and students participated in demonstrations across Italy during a 24-hour general strike organized by the grassroots union Unione Sindacale di Base. Protesters gathered in more than 40 cities to demand higher wages, stronger public services, and government action to address rising living costs. Demonstrators also opposed increased military spending, arguing that public resources should instead support workers and essential services. Although most protests remained peaceful, tensions escalated in Turin, where police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators.

Hospital doctors across England announced plans for a two-day strike on November 25 and 26 after the government proposed a 2.4% pay increase for the 2027–2028 financial year. The British Medical Association argues that the proposal falls below inflation and would further reduce doctors' purchasing power, noting that senior physicians have experienced a 25% decline in real wages over the past 17 years. The union said the strike could be avoided if the government commits to meaningful negotiations over compensation and working conditions. The dispute adds to ongoing labor tensions within Britain's National Health Service, where repeated industrial action has raised concerns about staffing, employee retention, and patient care.

Following negotiations supported by Mexican labor authorities, Volkswagen and the union representing workers at its Puebla assembly plant reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement, averting a planned strike. The proposed 12-month agreement includes an 8.24% total compensation increase, consisting of a 4.4% direct wage increase, a one-time payment, and additional savings contributions. Workers had previously rejected a two-year wage proposal, prompting further negotiations over compensation and contract terms. Union members are scheduled to vote on the revised agreement on October 29, with ratification determining whether the dispute is formally resolved.

Unionized employees at London's Victoria and Albert Museum suspended planned strikes on October 29 and 30 after management presented an improved compensation package. The offer includes an average 4.18% pay increase, with the lowest-paid employees receiving raises of approximately 6.9%, alongside improved holiday compensation and subsidized meals. Workers represented by Prospect and the Public and Commercial Services Union have also demanded stronger workplace protections, including access to hydration breaks and safeguards during extreme heat. Negotiations will continue through the UK's Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, demonstrating how the threat of industrial action can influence collective bargaining outcomes.

Approximately 1,000 eBay employees will lose their jobs as the online marketplace plans to eliminate 9% of its workforce to streamline operations and redirect resources toward faster-growing business segments. The announcement follows another round of layoffs in February that affected roughly 800 workers, or 6% of the company's staff. CEO Jamie Iannone said the restructuring is intended to support continued growth in areas such as luxury goods, collectibles, and refurbished products, even as the company's stock has risen nearly 40% this year. The cuts highlight ongoing employment insecurity in the technology sector, where companies continue reducing headcount despite strong business performance.

A union representing Micron employees at its Taoyuan facility in Taiwan plans to proceed with a strike on October 22 despite the semiconductor manufacturer reaching an agreement with a separate union at its larger Taichung operation. The dispute centers on workers' demands for improved bonuses and a transparent profit-sharing system that would allow employees to benefit more consistently from the company's financial performance. While the agreement at Taichung represents progress in negotiations, the unresolved conflict at Taoyuan illustrates the challenges of negotiating separate labor agreements across facilities. The planned walkout also raises concerns about potential disruptions to semiconductor production amid strong demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Thousands of California state employees began a one-day strike after contract negotiations with Governor Gavin Newsom's administration failed to produce an agreement. SEIU Local 1000, which represents more than 100,000 public workers, is demanding a 20% wage increase over three years, higher employer contributions toward healthcare, and greater flexibility to work remotely. The union also criticized the state's four-day in-office requirement and accused officials of failing to bargain in good faith after its contract expired in June. The walkout marks the union's first strike since its founding in 2004, highlighting growing tensions over compensation and workplace flexibility in the public sector.

Employees at Italy’s former Ilva steel plant in Taranto suspended five days of strikes and roadblocks after the government agreed to resume negotiations over the facility’s future on October 27. The protests were prompted by restructuring plans that unions fear could leave thousands of workers on prolonged furlough without a clear path to stable employment. Demonstrators also blocked roads near an Eni refinery, disrupting fuel deliveries and contributing to shortages across southern Italy. Union leaders warned that the suspension of industrial action is temporary and that strikes could resume if upcoming negotiations fail to secure meaningful job protections.