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From 7 to 9 December 2011, fourty participants met to discuss and learn how to improve the functioning of existing European works councils and starting up new ones. Among participants were trade union officials as well as employee representatives from different companies (Atos, Logica, CDS, Perkin Elmer and HP) and different countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, UK, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and Bulgaria).

The training seminar took place in Sesimbra/Portugal and focused on dealing with confidentiality of information, overcoming intercultural differences in EWCs, how to make use of the new EWC directive. It provided a platform for employee representatives to exchange information with each other and to receive training on legal and practical aspects of EWC work. Learning from other colleague’s experiences, participants were encouraged to develop work plans and goals for their EWC.



The realisation of this seminar was possible in the frame of a project financially supported by the European Commission. A second training seminar will take place in spring in Budapest, bringing together employee representatives of other companies in the ICTS sector.

The project’s aims are the “creation of transnational networks and capacity building of European workers representatives and trade unions from the IT and telecoms sector, to improve consultation and information at European Works Councils and Special Negotiating Bodies”, thus the full title. UNI Europa’s affiliated member organisation LBC-NVK from Belgium took the lead in organising and managing the project.