There will be a European law on information and consultation
for all firms by next year, Stephen Hughes, convener of the European Parliament
socialist group on employment, told a TUC meeting last week.
"Germany is now ready to vote for a common position. I
know that as absolute fact," he said. With German and Danish ministers now
backing the law, Ireland and the UK do not constitute a sufficient blocking
minority on their own (News, 30 January, Personnel Today ).
The meeting of social affairs ministers on 7 May will
discuss the issue. But Hughes said that the law may not be passed until next
year, partly because the European
Parliament will negotiate for stronger rights for employees.
Pressure for change
12 December 2000 Vauxhall announces 2,000 job losses at
Luton plant.
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23 January 2001 Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers
announces plans to review UK arrangements affecting collective redundancies.
1 February 2001 Steel giant Corus announces that they will
cut 6,050 UK-based employees.
