Are International Framework Agreements potential mechanisms of cross-border labour regulation? For some scholars they are no more than ‘window-dressing’, for others they are effective instruments of transnational regulation. We argue that their effectiveness depends on their interconnection with other mechanisms of labour regulation. Drawing on a broad review of research and our own empirical data, we conclude that different institutional frameworks, different dominant actor groups and configurations, and also different modes of regulation and bargaining, lead to varying and sometimes contrasting outcomes.

Why should European Works Councils (EWCs) discuss the InternationalLabour Organisation's core labour standards? With respect to their legal duties, EWCs are information and consultation bodies on European topics. In practice, they can become main actors in negotiating and implementing international framework agreements (IFAs) about core labour standards in multinational companies. Using theoretical models of internal and inter-organizational bargaining, the author highlights the role of those European bodies that work together with Global Union Federations (GUFs) during negotiations. In order to analyse the different forms of actors' involvement in negotiations, empirical data from a content analysis of all IFAs, as well as three company case studies, will be presented. It will be argued that internal bargaining between EWCs and GUFs influences negotiations with management. Furthermore, the article discusses the role of norms and institutions that shape internal as well as interorganizational bargaining processes, and lead to different forms of involvement of employee representation bodies.

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