ABSTRACT
Indeed, running parallel with the ‘modernizing’ tendencies in external labour markets to promote employment, the evolution of European works councils (EWCs) can be understood as part of the creation of supply-side approaches to internal labour markets within the multi-national companies covered by the EWC directive. This chapter aims to plot the changing attitudes towards the directive, to observe how it has been very often adapted to serve management interests and how European works councillors and the unions have managed to use EWCs to their own advantage. However, the general thrust of the guidelines is to support or adjust the trends already in the place for the last 10 years or so within the member states. Such an orientation should also improve everyday working conditions more generally along with pay, as flexibility affects weekly, annual and even lifetime working hours and the working methods.
