EWCs: Union “expectations are high”

EWCs: Union “expectations are high”

IndustriAll Europe calls for enhanced enforcement rights for EWCs during ongoing EWC Directive revisions. However, political resistance may limit significant changes, leaving union expectations unmet

Key points:  IndustriAll Europe is calling for stronger enforcement rights for European Works Councils (EWCs) during the ongoing EWC Directive revision.  It and other unions are demanding easier access to justice and more dissuasive sanctions for non-compliance.

Why this matters: The European Commission, Parliament, and Council are currently negotiating the revision of the EWC Directive. the rapporteur for the Parliament on the EWC dossier, Denis Radtke, confirmed that these issues were the heart of the matter, the major point of difference between the Parliament on the one hand, and the Council and Commission on the other.  But we still think it is unlikely that the Council and Commission will agree to give EWCs injunction-seeking powers or impose GDPR-size fines. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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Isabelle Barthès, Deputy General Secretary of industriAll Europe, said: 

“In these times of deep crisis in many of our sectors, when more than 100 000 job losses have been announced only in the last year, the EWC is in the best position to deal with the challenges that come with it. EWCs must be assured that they do not only have the right, but also the means to express an opinion about planned restructurings which must be taken into account by companies’ management.

“The European Commission, European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, who are currently negotiating the revision of the EWC Directive, have a unique opportunity to strengthen democracy at work at a time when it is needed more than ever.”