Indian workers are rising

You may be interested in recent moves in Bangalore, where Mahatma Gandhi country workers show they can raise to defend their social rights.
The social awareness process is under way...
More : January Strikes - Oct 2006 tech Strike

Oracle : Siebel Software developpers Over Time to be settled with 27.5 Million dollars

A huge class action is beeing successful regarding a wage-and-hour lawsuit against ex Siebel Company.
Each one of the 800 software developpers will get around 27000 Extra dollars for these forgotten hours.

A similar case is also still running in France and due for judgment in Feb.
Read More...

Good job guys ! (Information Courtesy of CGT Oracle France Labor Union)

Yet an other aquisition - SPL Workgroup

Following Portal Software, SunOpsis, Oracle announced an other Acquisition - SPL Workgroup aiming towards an end-to-end packaged revenue and operations management solution.

UK ruled as uncompliant regarding EU rest break rules

The European Court of Justice as ruled a statement indicating the UK government is breaking the law by not forcing employers to give their staff rest breaks between shifts.
The UK transposition was considered as far too flexible, by stating the rules as indications but not enforcing them.

Finish presidency unveiled a plan to reduce this gap between UK and the rest of Europe (EU Observer).

This approach reminds of many Oracle statements regarding the need for better employee relations and representativity, at a time where :
- The Oracle EWC is still negociated by EU HR as a "tea and biscuits conversation body with mgmt"
- Many countries still miss their local Worker's Council
- A very active labor union delegate in France from CFDT is under an unfair layoff procedure attempt, only aiming at reducing employee representation.

More informations : Europe Observatory - BBC News - Herald Tribune -

Yet an other acquisition - MetaSolv

Following the Portal purchase, yet an other telco business is beeing acquiered.
The announcement is available on Metasolv Web site. (FYI The link is ASP !)

Oracle is rolling out its Employee Assistance Program

Seen on the corporate site, and localized within Europe with FGIworld and Eupora consulting, Oracle is planning to roll-out its plan to assist employees or their family under personal and/or professional stress, by allowing free anonymous external meetings with psycho professionals.
The announced goal is to "manage the mental, social and physical health of their employees and families to reduce the huge productivity costs of absence and underperformance on the job".
Those attentions towards employees are a good move, but our labor organization would have prefered a more careful approach beforehand, by considering work organisation and workload factors.
We can help...

Corporate Site Annoucement : To help you address problems that threaten to upset the stability of your life at home or at work, the Oracle Employee Assistance Program offers referral services and confidential, personal assessment. EAP services may help with stress, depression, difficulties with children, divorce, alcohol abuse, drugs, job worries, marital, financial, or legal problems. The EAP is staffed by licensed professionals from the fields of psychology, clinical social work, and counseling. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An experienced intake specialist will arrange a confidential appointment with an EAP counselor. Services are free for up to three visits per family member per concern annually.

Oracle France General Manager Leaving...

Following recent troops movements, followed by lieutenants departures in many sales divisions, the French General Manager announced he was also on his way out...
Couldn't find a place in this new deploying organization, blowing out country levels and managers, and aimed towards a "bright future".
However... His last words were "good luck"...