ABSTRACT
This chapter examines precisely why and how the regulation and directive implementing the European Company Statute were eventually adopted in October 2001, following the compromise texts adopted by the Council in December 2000. It also examines the reasons for the rapid progress on the directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees at national level, which led to its adoption in February 2002. The chapter considers the reasons behind increasing a diversification of means of union involvement, the complementary or competing interlinkages between them and their functioning and likely consequences. It addresses three major criticisms towards the diversification of regulatory methods including Euro-agreements, directives, European Union (EU) employment guidelines, exchange of good practice and, the open method of coordination. The role of the social partners in the European Employment Strategy can be multi-faceted. Arrangements for worker involvement at EU level hold several records in the history of EU social policy.
