TRANSNATIONAL REPRESENTATION BY EUROPEAN WORKS COUNCILS IN THE PASSENGER AIRLINE INDUSTRY

Abstract

Mergers and acquisitions have reduced the number of European Works Councils (EWCs) in the airline industry over the past two decades. In addition, start-up low-cost airlines have been reluctant to form EWCs. Only 5 of the 11 eligible transnational passenger airlines have established EWCs. This limited number of airline EWCs reduces airline employees' opportunity to be involved in strategic decision making in areas such as tourism. All of the available EWC agreements provide the opportunity for management and employee member consultation, the offering of opinions, and providing information related to European transnational operations. The Lufthansa Group and the International Airlines Group EWC agreements contain more subject areas for discussion than the Air France-KLM agreement. Only the Lufthansa Group EWC agreement includes the topic of environmental protection.