Great Britain: PM Theresa May backtracks on putting workers on company boards

On Monday 21 November the British PM surprised by nuancing her campaign promise to put workers on company boards of directors. “While it is important that the voices of workers and consumers should be represented, I can categorically tell you that this is not about mandating works councils, or the direct appointment of workers or trade union representatives on boards," and it was thus, during her CBI speech (employers annual conference address) that the Prime Minister put an end to months of speculation on the issue. So, no, the UK is not going to set a place for workers on company boards of directors, even though in July 2016, standing on the steps of No. 10 Downing Street, following David Cameron’s resignation as a result of the Brexit vote, Theresa May had promised that change was one of her objectives, saying "we’re going to have not just consumers represented on company boards, but workers as well” (c.f. article No. 9769).
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German model discarded. The PM’s speech on Monday 21 November adopted a different tone, saying “Some companies may find that these models work best for them – but there are other routes that use existing board structures, complemented or supplemented by advisory councils or panels, to ensure all those with a stake in the company are properly represented. It will be a question of finding the model that works”, and added that counter to what several observers had expected she was not looking to w

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