EWCs in the 'European Social Model' – From Information Committee to Social Actor

European Works Councils after two decades

“…This bias is mitigated insofar as many writers for whom this is not their native language publish in English, and their work is included in the database (e.g. Da Costa and Rehfeldt, 2008; Lecher et al, 1999; Streeck, 1997a). Thus, the sample does not only cover the opinions of Anglophone world but is, indeed, skewed towards this world.…”

“…These studies have identified the impact of contextual factors, such as the home country or sector of operation of the MNC, whether the agreement was based on Article 6 or 13 of the Directive, structural features such as the composition of EWC representatives, the content of the agenda and the presence or absence of a select committee (Krieger and Bonneton, 1995; Marginson, 1999; Weiler, 2004). Qualitative case studies have mainly relied on interviews to examine the operation of EWCs (Lecher et al, 1999, 2001); a very small number have employed observation (Bailey, 2009), and a single researcher used an ethnographic approach (Timming, 2006, 2010). A prominent finding of case study research is that EWCs are at different stages of development, with some remaining rudimentary or symbolic and others becoming collective actors with sophisticated transnational procedures (Lecher et al, 1999).…”

“…First, EWCs are an institution in process, and this process is contested by the parties involved (Waddington, 2006a; Waddington and Kerckhofs, 2003). The pattern of development of this institution is not fixed and the range of options available is broad (Lecher et al, 1999, 2001; Weiler, 2004). Furthermore, the absence of specificity in many terms introduced in the Directive opens the door to a range of interpretations, ensuring that EWCs exhibit marked variation.…”

“…Second, research assessed the variations in implementation and functioning of the Directive at company level (Gilman and Marginson, 2002). Third, studies examined the role and views of the different actors, primarily focusing on labour representatives (Lecher et al, 1999, 2001), while employers’ organizations and management have been considered much less. Fourth, a growing literature examines the evolving practices of EWCs, ranging from the information and consultation agenda, the wider negotiation role undertaken by an increasing number of EWCs, the development of transnational worker coordination and mobilization through to management’s attempt to organize coercive comparisons or whipsawing (Greer and Hauptmeier, 2016; Telljohann et al, 2009; Weiler, 2004).…”

Collective interest representation of the European workforce in European Works Councils

“…There are two alternative routes to the development of a European system of industrial relations (Hoffmann et al, 2002). Lecher et al (1999) describe the first as a company-based system in which EWCs cooperate strongly with other workplace employee representation structures within the company. This approach would not require much external legitimation and can be described as an ‘emerging island’ (Dølvik, 1999).…”