Abstract
This article examines areas of concern for unions as the European Works Council (EWC) directive is incorporated into national law, and they prepare for- the business of actually setting up the councils.
The timing of EWC meetings; the information they have access to ; and their impact on existing consultation procedures - these and other areas may yet cause problems for the unions.
French company councils could be especially under threat. How EWCs are made up is a matter for negotiation, while the composition of French councils is part of national labour law. These national stipulations may clash with aspects of the EWC directive.
This example shows the delicate balance that needs to be struck between the role of local representative bodies and the strategic nature of the EWC.
However this is to be done, unions would do well, the article says, to heed the advice of the ETUC - don't wait for the laws incorporating the EWC to be put in place; start talking now.
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