European Works Councils: Negotiated Europeanisation. Between statutory framework and social dynamics

Book abstract:

This is the third part of a three volume series on European Works Councils (EWCs) by an international research group. This part of the study analyses the establishment of EWCs under the statutory 'normal' procedure as set out in articles 5 and 6 of the 1994 EWC Directive and the national transposing legislation. The main part of the study is concerned with developments since 1996 in the EU-14 (plus EEA) and since January 2000 in the UK. The purpose of the study is to provide an overall evaluation of both policy cycle and social process of the constitution and development of EWCs.

The book is divided into three parts, beginning with a look at the range of theoretical debate and analytical approaches followed by the history of the EWC process and the origins and implementation of the EWC Directive. Part two forms the basis of the study in examining the cases of five major European firms in different industrial sectors; Schneider Electric, an electrical engineering and industrial control and automation group; Glaxo Wellcome, a pharmaceutical company; Lindt and Sprüngli, a Swiss chocolate company; Generali SpA, a financial services group; and Züblin AG, a construction group. In each case analysis is provided of how negotiations using the mandatory procedure took place, the quality of the actors involved, the roles and characteristics of the various parties involved, and the eventual outcomes. This is followed by a chapter that examines why EWCs have been set up in only one third of eligible companies and why the pace of establishing EWCs slowed after the mandatory procedure came into place in 1996.

The book is aimed at the academic community. The authors are from the University of Applied Sciences at Fulda, University of Osnabrück, and the Hans-Böckler Foundation, Dusseldorf.