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Government responses
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Attempts to get more
information from multinationals
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1980s European
Parliament adopted Vredeling Directive
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Pushed
most heavily by IGMetall
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Requires
multinationals to provide variety of information on global operations
including
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Plans for closures
and layoffs
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New technology and
product lines
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Watered
down considerably with strict secrecy requirements
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Information
largely limited to that available to stock holders
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Financial situation
& marketing strategies
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INFORMATION GIVEN TO
APPROPRIATE UNIONS
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UNIONS ALSO GIVEN
RIGHT TO CONSULT DIRECTLY WITH PARENT COMPANY ON CERTAIN ISSUES AFFECTING
JOBS
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FAILURE TO PROVIDE
ANY OF THIS WOULD ALLOW THE UNION TO GO TO COURT IN ANY EU COUNTRY
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1994 European Works
Council Directive
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Requires
European Works Councils in companies of 1000 employees with at least 150 in
each of two EU states
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Not as
powerful as German Works Councils but entitled to information and
consultation
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Over 150 US owned
multi-nationals have complied and set up such councils including Ingersoll
Rand, GM, IBM, and Citibank
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June
2001 European union issued guidelines (to begin to come into force in 2004)
strengthening the obligation of European companies to “inform and consult”
worker representatives about company strategy
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To begin
to come into force in 2004
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Reduces
size of covered companies, by 2008 all companies with 50 or more employees
will be covered
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British
and Irish had fought this initiative for several years
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Directive
includes consultation on any significant decision involving restructuring or
changes in work organization
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(only if
giving 2 classes) Companies can protect confidential information but must
demonstrate that the release of this information would be harmful
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EU has attempted to
adopt uniform minimum standards on worker participation and equal opportunity
but these require unanimity and British have refused to participate
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