EU Parliament: Crucial EWC vote today

MEPs vote today on EWC Directive changes amid EU employer group opposition, what would be the consequences of MEPs rejecting the agreed changes to the revised European Works Council directive?

The Key Points: The European Parliament voted on October 9 on proposed changes to the European Works Council Directive, despite the Council of Ministers having already approved the changes. European employer organisations mounted a last-minute campaign opposing the Directive changes, creating uncertainty around what was previously expected to be a straightforward approval. T

he proposed changes fall significantly short of what trade unions originally demanded, notably excluding the right for EWCs to seek injunctions blocking management decisions and GDPR-sized fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover. The main change in the new text involves ending the Article 13 exemption, potentially requiring undertakings with Article 13 agreements to negotiate new EWC agreements through Special Negotiating Bodies. 

Why This Matters: The irony that Parliament might reject changes it originally initiated through German MEP Denis Radtke's report highlights the shifting political dynamics around business regulation in Europe. The outcome will determine whether the existing 2009 EWC Directive remains in place or whether further negotiations will be required.

What Might Happen Next: We will update you on the outcome and advise on next steps, though it is still likely that the vote will pass and the revised Directive as outlined will proceed.