Towards a European labour identity

The case of the European work council

Michael Whitall, Herman Knudden and Fred Huijgen (eds), Routledge, hardback, 233 pages, £65

There are now around 830 European works councils, and most have been around for 10 years or more. They provide a mechanism for employee representatives in larger companies from all over the European Union to meet regularly, to learn about their employers’ plans and perhaps to have some influence over them.

This book, edited by three experts on the topic, consists of a series of contributions looking at the different ways that European works councils have evolved and the factors that have influenced them.

European works councils with a strong British interest are well-represented, and UK companies and employees are included in many of the contributions.

The academic language of some of the contributions may be offputting to some readers, but in general the information the book contains and its thoughts on the significance of European works councils mean that it is worth persevering.