United Kingdom becomes legal battleground over EWC rights amid Brexit

Compared with other national systems that serve as the basis for several EWCs, the UK has provided a wealth of jurisprudence and the reason for this is an almost two-year battle between employers’ and employees’ legal teams seeking decisions over the scope of information and consultation rights within the framework of Brexit, and the migration of EWCs to the Republic of Ireland.  Unite the Union is the the largest UK & Irish trade union federation involved in this tug-of-war and it is also developing a legal strategy on a number of cases key for securing EWCs rights to experts. The most recent legal decision to date concerns the Princes Group case that was handed down on 17 January by the Central Arbitration Committee (the CAC oversees the regulation of UK labour law as it relates to trade union recognition and collective bargaining), and that provides a broad definition of the notion of ‘Transnationality’ and clarifies the issue of the right to experts.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Setting the tone for Irish courts as they gear up to handle a mass influx of UK legislation related EWCs following Brexit. Brexit means a mass exodus of UK legislation related EWCs from the UK to the Republic of Ireland. ‘In the UK we have a certain modus vivendi, but in the Republic we are heading into the unknown, with everyone trying to carve out their own territory, well aware that in the beginning Irish legal rulings will be looking to what has occurred in the UK,’ explained Stephane Porte

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Seven major companies offer training to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence
L’Oréal, Engie, LVMH, Publicis, Accor and Orange are encouraging their staff to take part in the Safe Spaces training programme on domestic and sexual violence, developed by insurance...
10 November 2025
Romania: collective agreement extended to entire insurance sector
On 3 November, Romania’s National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue approved the extension of the collective labour agreement signed on 23 May by the Confederation of Employers in the...
United Kingdom largely retained within scope of EWCs despite Brexit, study shows
A study published this month by the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the French trade union research organisation, examined how the involvement of British representatives in European...
Spain: government approves creation of ‘intern status’
The Spanish government has paved the way for the creation of a new status for "persons undergoing non-professional practical training in companies, institutions or public or private organisations...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026
Limits on sick leave, the end of social security exemptions for apprentices, and the introduction of additional birth leave: the 2026 social security financing bill, presented to parliament on 14...
16 October 2025
2
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
3
Romania: collective agreement extended to entire insurance sector
On 3 November, Romania’s National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue approved the extension of the collective labour agreement signed on 23 May by the Confederation of Employers in the...
4
United Kingdom largely retained within scope of EWCs despite Brexit, study shows
A study published this month by the Institute for Economic and Social Research, the French trade union research organisation, examined how the involvement of British representatives in European...
5
Germany: legal battle at Tesla ahead of works council election
The Frankfurt/Oder labour court has postponed a mid-November hearing in the case between the IG Metall union and Michaela Schmitz, employee representative and head of the works council at the...
6
France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy
On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...