American inequality will widen under Trump in 2017 29 Dec 2016 A populist wave sent the real-estate developer to the White House. But his economic policies will help working-class folks the least. His tax cuts, repatriation of corporate cash and infrastructure push will line the pockets of the rich before trickling down to the less well-off.
Making pilots shareholders may save Lufthansa 23 Nov 2016 The carrier's pilots are striking to get a 20-pct pay rise that Lufthansa, dogged by high costs, cannot afford. Paying them in shares might end the gridlock. The airline would save cash, and entrepreneurial spirit in the cockpit could soften the pilots' outlandish demands.
VW finally makes it to third gear 18 Nov 2016 The German carmaker has convinced unions to let it shed 30,000 jobs. That's a second big step, after settling a big emissions cheating case. Next comes the shift to electric and self-driving cars, and beating an overly modest 4 pct operating margin target for its flagship brand.
U.S. labor unions look increasingly white collar 25 Aug 2016 A ruling that lets Ivy League graduate students organize will add to the growing share of cubicle-dwellers in the union movement. Education is one of the few sectors in which membership is increasing, albeit from a low base. The blue-collar stereotype is slowly fading away.
Wal-Mart learns limits of divide and rule in China 11 Jul 2016 The U.S. giant's Chinese employees used social media to co-ordinate nationwide strikes. That will make it harder to cut cosy deals with local governments. Telecom giant China Unicom has also faced cross-country protests. But foreign firms tend to enjoy less official protection.