Great Expectations: Three Years in the Life of a European Works Council

Abstract

This article draws on one detailed case study of a European Works Council (EWC) to highlight the experiences of employees involved in these new institutions. The UK employee representatives at the case study firm have become increasingly frustrated, complaining about inadequate consultation, the poor organization and coordination of the employee representatives and the weakness and isolation of the EWC. The implications of these employee concerns are explored in the context of the changing political economic landscape of Europe. The article speculates whether EWCs can ever become useful tools for workers facing the challenges of Europeanization and globalization.