German Amazon workers strike over pay, Santander offered €52m to Andrea Orcel, and more top news

The news professionals in Europe are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments. 

More than 2,000 Amazon workers in Germany have gone on strike over pay. Under the motto ‘No more discount on our incomes’ the two-day action coincides with Amazon’s mega discount-deal Prime Day, with workers in the US and UK also protesting. German unions want collective agreements and better conditions, but Amazon responded to the strikes by stating it is a ‘fair’ employer. Germany is Amazon’s largest market outside the US and this week announced plans for a new warehouse in Germany (its 13th) and 2,800 permanent jobs. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Santander offered a €52m sign-on deal to Andrea Orcel in its failed bid to recruit him as CEO, reports The Financial Times. A formal letter of offer, dated September 24 from the Spanish bank and seen by the news site, reveals a cash sign-on bonus of €17m plus up to €35m of Santander shares as compensation for lost pay by quitting as head of the investment bank of Switzerland’s UBS. Santander rescinded the offer citing extraordinary costs, but Orcel is launching a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and demanding the bank hire him or pays €100m damages. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Spanish carrier Vueling Airlines is the least punctual major airline flying from the UK, according to an investigation. Analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data by the Press Association found that the Spanish carrier's UK departures were delayed by an average of 31 minutes last year. Thomas Cook and Wizz Air were also named and shamed. Cathay Pacific is the most punctual airline, although its flights still took off an average of eight minutes behind schedule. Flights from the UK were delayed an average of 16 minutes last year. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Also… Drinking on flights, and downing a few at the airport bar before boarding, could be the next airline amenity to be banned in order to reduce the number of in-air incidents, suggests an article in The Financial Times. ? Here’s what people are saying.

French luxury giant LVMH has signed a deal with Stella McCartney in a bid to boost its sustainability focus. McCartney, who just parted with French backer and LVMH rival Kering after 17 years, is renowned for her animal-friendly ethics and last year backed a UN charter to promote sustainable fashion. The minority stake in the label is a coup for LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Givenchy and signed singer Rihanna in May. Consumers are increasingly conscious of purchasing from sustainable labels, with more than one in three considering social and environmental impacts when shopping. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Do you work better with a little music, a latte and muffin? A little background noise – whether it’s the hum of an air conditioner or tunes through your headphones – can improve perception and mood, reveals research from Edith Cowan University’s Onno van der Groen. Referred to as stochastic resonance, this ‘coffee shop effect’ may rouse our brains to consider issues and information from different perspectives. But the key is to find your Goldilocks noise level: not so much that it’s distracting, but not so little that it’s easy to miss. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: Experience has value, says Stanley Bergman, CEO of Henry Schein. Just like in tennis, anyone can hit a ball but very few can hit it like a pro.

“When you take that new job, above all, do this first: Listen, observe, and learn. Find an experienced mentor who can show you where and how to hit the ball.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Cathy Anderson and Andrea Beattie