Has the recast made a difference? An examination of the content of European Works Council agreements

Abstract

The 2009 recast of the European Works Council (EWC) directive introduced substantial revisions to provisions on training, reporting back to employees and trade union involvement, together with amendments to the definitions of information, consultation and transnational competence. We use data from almost 1100 EWC agreements to evaluate its effect. We find a combination of direct effects from the recast and a general learning effect in the negotiation and renegotiation of EWC agreements. Which is dominant, depends on the issue under examination. The impact of the law tends to accelerate the development of EWCs as an institution in process.