On 2 and 3 December Around 250 EWC members, trade-unionists and EWC experts came together at the European Works Council Conference, organised jointly by ETUC and ETUI’s EWPCC, to assess the impact of the newly revised EWC Directive.

Speakers underlined that the revision of the EWC Directive constitutes a significant victory for workers across Europe — a success born from close cooperation between EWC members, national unions, Effat, Epsu, Uni Europa, Etf, Efbww (ETUFs), ETUI and ETUC.

IndustriAll Europe joined other ETUFs and ETUC in two panel debates, reflecting on how the new rules will strengthen workers’ voice and participation within multinational companies.

Participants thanked MEP Dennis Radtke, the Directive’s rapporteur, acknowledging his commitment to reinforcing worker representation at EU level.

“This is not just a legal update; this is a very strong political signal that workers must be fully informed and consulted on decisions that concern their jobs and their working conditions.” said Isabelle Barthès, industriAll Europes deputy general secretary.

Amid intense structural changes in European industry from the green and digital transitions to broader economic pressures, the revised Directive delivers stronger protections: it closes previous loopholes used by companies to avoid consultation, clarifies obligations, and secures better safeguards for workers during restructuring processes.

With Member States having two years to transpose the Directive into national law, followed by a transition period ahead of its entry into force in 2029, trade unions stressed that the coming period must be used wisely. As highlighted by Marcus Meyer-Erdmann (ETUI senior researcher) many legal and practical questions remain to be clarified.

The meeting concluded with a clear roadmap: Over the coming months, trade unions will carry out detailed legal analyses, inform and train EWC members and coordinators across over 1200 EWCs, and work together to develop practical support tools tailored to different sectors. Existing agreements will be reviewed, and EWCs encouraged to prepare proactively through information gathering, training and expert guidance.
The key message remains: there is no rush to renegotiate immediately. The transitional period offers sufficient time to lay a solid foundation for full implementation.

In unity and solidarity, trade unions at all levels reaffirm their crucial role: it is through coordinated, collective action that the revised Directive can become a powerful instrument safeguarding workers’ rights in multinational companies.