This article evaluates the role performed by BMW's European Works Council (EWC) in the recent Rover crisis. During this period of great uncertainty a picture emerges whereby contacts achieved through the EWC came to play a central role in discussions and negotiations with BMW and Rover management. Of particular interest are the issues of trust relations between British and German EWC members and the changing attitudes towards each other. Here, the diverse points of reference resulting from contrasting industrial relations settings are discussed at some length. It is concluded that a new industrial relations platform now exists that could allow European trade unionists the chance to develop better cross-border relations as well as mutually supportive positions.

This article discusses the conditions for the development of a common identity among employee representatives within European Works Councils and addresses the importance of information and communication technology in this respect. Drawing on case studies conducted at General Motors and Deutsche Post, it is concluded that systematic use of such technology is a necessary condition if employee representatives are to be able to act jointly and in a timely manner across borders when challenged by management.

Drawing on theoretical insights from work by Michael Burawoy on the ‘politics of production’ and ‘the game of “making out”’ this article explores ‘manufacturing consent’ within increased insecurity at sites of a global chemical company. It explores the role of the European Works Council and kaizen as ‘rituals of affirmation’ to corporate control within this ‘hegemonic despotic’ regime securing consent through the precariousness of local site employment.

This article reviews results of a study conducted by the Technische Universität München into why the majority of German multinationals covered by the European Works Council (EWC) Directive (1994) continue not to take advantage of this legal provision. After providing a brief outline of the project's research design, the main part of the article considers reasons why employee representatives fail to set up an EWC. As will be shown, these reasons mainly concern (i) a knowledge deficit about the EWC Directive; (ii) a lack of transparency regarding company structure; and (iii) the perceived limited value of an EWC on the part of German works councillors.

This article studies the current malaise of German industrial relations in the face of increased international competition, regional economic integration, the cost of unification and high unemployment. This article contends that the difficulties faced by Modell Deutschland are reflected in a growing tension between works councils and trade union interests. The argument is based on a longitudinal study of changes in working time patterns at the very successful German automobile producer, BMW, as well as a discussion of 'open clauses' and plant-level deviations from collective agreements, mainly in the metalworking sector but not exclusively.