Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Latest NewsEmployee relationsEmployment lawWorks councils

Works Council Directive revision talks fail to get under way

by Greg Pitcher 15 Apr 2008
by Greg Pitcher 15 Apr 2008

Talks aimed at securing a revision of the Works Council Directive have collapsed before they even had a chance to begin.


Union umbrella body the ETUC refused to start discussions with employer representative Business Europe – because the parties could not agree on a date to finish talks.


Business Europe is understood to have wanted a longer period for negotiations, concerned that fast-tracked changes to the directive would leave trade unions with unreasonable powers.


The ETUC said in a letter to the European Commissioner for Employment this week: “Unfortunately, it was not possible to agree with Business Europe on a concluding date for any talks, nor reach a robust understanding on substantial amendments to the directive as outlined in the consultation document.


“Under these circumstances, we are not ready for negotiations within the framework of the social dialogue, and we count very much on you that the commission will present a revised directive in early June.”


The Works Council Directive became law for EU member states in 1996, requiring multinational firms to establish works councils as a means of negotiating with staff on international issues.


In February 2008, the commission published a consultation on a revision of the directive. This document proposed extensions to the powers of works councils.


Employer group Business Europe subsequently wrote to the European Commission signalling its willingness to negotiate on ways to make the councils more effective. But the ETUC declared its determination to secure a quick agreement.


Unable to convince employers of the need to do so, it has put its faith in the commission to make changes.

Avatar
Greg Pitcher

previous post
CBI claims gender pay gap is not caused by discrimination
next post
Odgers Select opens City office for financial institutions

You may also like

Who is on strike and when?

22 Sep 2023

Lego leader lands top spot for AI in...

22 Sep 2023

Managing the risks of ‘working from anywhere’ requests...

22 Sep 2023

Leavesden studios expansion to create 4,000 jobs

22 Sep 2023

What does it mean to be an HR...

22 Sep 2023

How to retain key talent using the power...

22 Sep 2023

Unions and industry voice irritation with green policy...

21 Sep 2023

AI in employment: the pitfalls and laws on...

21 Sep 2023

Coalition of firms sets out to boost diversity...

21 Sep 2023

Personnel Today Awards 2023 shortlist: Candidate Experience Award

21 Sep 2023

  • Discover the value of CIPD accreditation PROMOTED | See how the CIPD can increase your earning potential...Read more
  • What does it mean to be an HR professional in 2024? (survey) PROMOTED | The world of HR is changing rapidly...Read more
  • The Contractor Management Mastery Pack: Everything you need to manage and pay global contractors PROMOTED | Answers to cross-border...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+