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North American Edition
20th February 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Volkswagen workers ratify first UAW contract

Volkswagen workers at the automaker's plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have voted 96% in favor of a historic first labor deal negotiated by the United Auto Workers union that locks in higher wages, lower health insurance costs, and stronger job security language for the next four years. “This victory shows what happens when workers stand up and refuse to be ignored," said Yogi Peoples, a worker at the plant and member of the union's bargaining committee. "We didn’t just win better wages and raise standards at our plant - we forced respect onto the table and got it all in writing." Reuters notes the South of the U.S. "has been tough for the union to crack."
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LEGAL

U.S. court to decide Wall Street sleep accommodation case

Kathryn Shiber has sued New York M&A advisory boutique Centerview Partners for disability discrimination after being fired, in a trial that could affect Wall Street disability policies. A jury in a federal court in New York next week is to rule on whether Centerview erred by sacking the junior analyst, who said she needed at least eight hours’ rest a night.

Coca-Cola bottler sued over employee event that excluded men

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, a bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola. The agency accuses the company of sex discrimination with regard to an employee networking event that excluded men. The lawsuit, the first over workplace diversity programs since President Donald Trump took office, says the bottler violated federal law when it hosted an event for about 250 female employees at a casino in Connecticut in September 2024.

Trump banner is hung on DOJ building

The Department of Justice has hung a large banner of Donald Trump outside its Washington headquarters. The large blue banner with Trump’s face reads “Make America Safe Again.” NBC News notes that the DOJ has traditionally operated with a degree of independence from the White House, but that separation has eroded during Trump’s second term as the department has gone after his perceived political enemies. “We are proud at this Department of Justice to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction,” a DOJ spokesperson said when asked about the banner.
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WORKFORCE

Alberta to hold referendum on new restrictions for immigrants

The Canadian province of Alberta is to hold a referendum on restricting immigration and reducing newcomers’ access to public services. “The fact is, Alberta taxpayers can no longer be asked to continue to subsidize the entire country through equalization and federal transfers, permit the federal government to flood our borders with new arrivals and then give free access to our most-generous-in-the-country social programs to anyone who moves here,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a televised address aired on Thursday. She blamed what she called the “disastrous open-border immigration policies” of former prime minister Justin Trudeau for straining the province’s health care, education and social services programs. 

New jobless claims fall sharply, signaling labor market stability

New applications for U.S. unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, pointing to a stabilizing labor market. The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial jobless claims dropped by 23,000 to 206,000 in the seven days to February 14th, well below economists’ expectations of 225,000 and down from 232,000 at the end of January. The four-week moving average of new applications was little changed at 219,000, while continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, rose by 17,000 to 1.869m. “It appears the late-January cold spell and an imperfect seasonal-adjustment process have contributed to the recent volatility in initial claims," said economist Stuart Paul. "We take somewhat more signal from the rise in continuing claims. Workers have been finding it more difficult to find new jobs, and soft labor demand may prevent the unemployment rate from declining further in the months ahead."
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RISK

NASA releases report on botched Boeing Starliner test flight

NASA has said the botched 2024 Starliner mission, which left two astronauts stranded in space for nine months, was a "Type A" mishap - at the same level assigned to the fatal 2003 Columbia and 1986 Challenger space shuttle disasters. The category is reserved for incidents causing more than $2m in damage, the loss of a vehicle or its control, or deaths. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman sharply criticized Boeing and NASA leadership for their handling of the mission during a news conference timed with the release of a 300-page report that detailed communication breakdowns and "unprofessional behavior" as the agency and its longtime contractor struggled to agree on how to safely return the crew to Earth. "We returned the crew safely, but the path we took did not reflect NASA at our best," Isaacman said. 
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REMUNERATION

Meta cuts staff stock awards for a second straight year

Meta has cut equity awards for most employees by about 5% for the second consecutive year, as chief executive Mark Zuckerberg reins in costs to help fund heavy investment in AI. The reduction follows a roughly 10% cut last year and affects tens of thousands of staff, though changes vary by role. The move comes as Meta ramps up AI spending, with projected 2026 capital expenditure of up to $130bn and aggressive recruitment of top AI talent on lucrative pay packages. While overall compensation spending has reportedly risen due to greater rewards for top performers, the cuts to stock awards have frustrated some employees. The company has also made broader efficiency moves, including 1,500 job cuts in its metaverse division, as it seeks to reassure investors about returns on its expanding AI investment.

Wall Street regulator seeks diminished exec pay disclosure

Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins has said fewer senior corporate executives could be subject to extensive investor disclosures about their compensation under pending regulatory reforms. "I agree . . . that we should reconsider the number of executives for whom compensation information is provided," he said. Reuters notes that the remarks foreshadow proposals aimed at substantially reducing the burden companies face in complying with regulations for public companies, part of a general shift in the balance of power away from investors and back towards companies.
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INTERNATIONAL

Foreign workers face violence in Croatia

Foreign workers in Croatia face increasing violence and exploitation. Many report being attacked while working, with some suffering serious injuries. The country, which is experiencing a significant labor shortage, has witnessed a rise in foreign workers, particularly from Asia. Last year, four out of 10 work and residency permits were issued to Nepalis, Filipinos, Indians and Bangladeshis, mostly in the tourism, catering and construction industries. Public attitudes are hardening, with over 60% of Croatians expressing dissatisfaction with the presence of these workers.

ZIM workers escalate strike amid Hapag-Lloyd takeover concerns

Workers at ZIM Integrated Shipping Services have intensified their strike, demanding job security guarantees following Hapag-Lloyd's announcement of a $4.2bn acquisition of the Israeli shipping company. Approximately 800 unionized employees initiated the strike at ZIM's Haifa headquarters, citing fears that the proposed creation of a new dedicated container line, "New ZIM," would result in nearly 900 layoffs. Hapag-Lloyd has assured that job security will be negotiated but the union remains concerned about the long-term viability of “New ZIM” due to its reduced size.

Philippines needs whistleblower protection law to beat corruption, UN says

Whistleblowers in the Philippines face significant risks due to the absence of protective laws, a top United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) official has said. The lack of support leaves them vulnerable to retaliation, perpetuating corruption and impunity. Kirbee Tibayan, UNODC country representative, highlighted the need for a national Whistleblower Protection Act and reforms to the Bank Secrecy Act. She said: "Whistleblowers provide most corruption intel, but they're not adequately protected." Additionally, she called for a broader Freedom of Information Act to enhance transparency and inter-agency cooperation in combating corruption.

Viral workplace pranks plague Japanese businesses

Psychologists warn that the pursuit of online fame is driving a surge in baito tero, or workplace pranks, among part-time employees in Japan. A report by Tokyo-based human resources provider Mynavi predicts that nearly 25% of Japanese companies will be affected this year. Incidents often surface on social media, with examples including employees engaging in reckless behavior in kitchens. Takayuki Harada, a psychology professor, noted that young workers are seeking attention through these pranks, which can harm brand reputation. Companies are implementing measures including mobile phone bans to combat the trend.
 
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