International Paper: agreement establishing the EWC

This agreement, subject to British law, established a European Works Council where “central management will provide transnational information relating to its operations in the European Union (EU) and Economic Area (EEA) such as to encourage a free exchange of views and opinions to be expressed on the information provided.” However, this procedure shouldn’t “affect the prerogative of management who remain solely competent and responsible for business, financial, commercial and technological decisions at local, national and transnational levels.” Regarding the link between information and consultation levels, the agreement contains a formal clause: “central management shall make every effort to trigger, if applicable, information and consultation at local and at European level and these processes will continue concurrently and independently of each other.” The agreement adds that national information and consultation will follow the procedures set out in national law, and European information and consultation will follow the procedures set out in this agreement.