Memorandum European Works Councils

This working paper looks at the views of managers responsible for European Works Councils (EWCs) within multinational companies on the operation of the institution. It also examines the policies of Business Europe on EWCs vis-à-vis the views of these managers.The findings of structured interviews with fifty-six EWC managers focus on management... Find out more

In 2016 it will be 20 years since the first European Works Councils (EWC) directive came into force in the EU. In the same year, the European Commission is planning an evaluation of the EWC recast directive that will undoubtedly lead to debate on the need for further review of European regulation of EWCs. The year 2015 also marks the fifteenth... Find out more

The first part of the book examines the background and some of the loopholes of the EWC Directive 94/45/EC. The analysis of the background conducted from a conceptual, a historical, and legislative angles shows the many loopholes inherent in the EWC Directive. What the practical result of these legislative shortcomings has been is shown in the... Find out more

During the last 15 years, research on European Works Councils has revealed significant information concerning the structure, dynamics and ability of EWCs to represent employees’ interests. A multitude of factors and conditions influencing the work and results of EWC activity have been identified. Until now, however, there has been little systematic... Find out more

A few hundred giant multinational firms control major shares of the international economy. The decisions taken by central management of these multinational companies affect workers in all their European subsidiaries. The European Directive on European Works Councils (EWCs), requires multinational companies to build a bridge between their decision... Find out more

The EWC Directive of 1994 and its transposition in the Member States have been of considerable interest to trade unions over the years. Some of the key elements in the procedure for establishing EWCs are covered in these PowerPoint presentations, which contain slides on nine important aspects of the directive (e.g. those companies affected, the SNG... Find out more