Too often, management uses the loopholes of the legislation to weaken the EWC: ignoring information and consultation obligations, limiting the freedom of EWCs to communicate with the local level, restricting access to the sites of the multinationals, applying abusive confidentiality provisions, to name only a few examples.

While these loopholes have to be closed by the EU institutions in the long run, EWCs have to invest in other solutions to strengthen their capacity in the short term. Communication and coordination between the EWC and workers’ representatives of the multinationals is key here. Whether it is with the local trade union and workers’ representatives in the national branch, the board-level representatives, or the European Trade Union Federation – the network of worker voice should include EWC members and facilitate exchange and support. This is crucial to influencing management decisions.

This report features:

- Case studies of 14 cross-sectoral EWCs

- Good practices for EWC members to coordinate with trade unions and worker representatives at European, national and local level.

- Shortcomings and challenges of the current legal frameworks + good practices for decision makers

Coordination and interaction in European works councils (LONG ENGLISH version)

Coordination and interaction in European works councils (ENGLISH)

Coordination and interaction in European works councils (FRANÇAIS)

Coordination and interaction in European works councils (DEUTSCH)

Coordination and interaction in European works councils (ITALIANO)

Coordination and interaction in European works councils (ESPAÑOL)