ABSTRACT
As with most national works council systems, EWCs are not formally trade union institutions. Although in accordance with national legislation, collective agreements or custom and practice, some transpositions of the Directive enable union representatives to act as EWC representatives (ETUC 1998a), the Directive makes no mention of trade unions whatsoever, and regards workplace employee representatives as the agents of the employees’ side and as those who should be informed and consulted. In this light, why does a study of EWCs address the role of EIFs at the outset? Five arguments underpin the approach adopted here.
