European Works Councils: from the local to the global?

This chapter discusses recent developments with regard to European Works Councils (EWC) in the North East of England. Its analysis is based on studies of regional EWC activity in the North East of England over a seven- year period (1998–2005) and the ongoing delivery of EWC training programmes. Although, pessimistic in its findings of significant influence being placed on multinational decision making, the authors found that there were signs of significant improvement on past practice. Thus EWCs are still work in progress and do offer some employee voice in an increasingly ‘globalised’ world.