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As of 20 October 2020, there is reportedly no longer a European works council at the IT group Verizon. The UK subsidiary informed the previous chairperson from France of this decision. At the same time, the headquarters in the US instructed the subsidiary in Ireland to initiate new elections, which is happening extremely slowly. The management is annoyed with the EWC because it has initiated legal proceedings several times. Most recently, the company was even fined (see report in EWC News 3/2020).
Management argues that the previous EWC agreement under UK law was for a four-year term and was not renewed. It does not provide for any prolongation. Therefore, the EWC is automatically dissolved and must be completely re-elected. In the interim period, which can last up to a year, there is no EWC and management is free to carry out any restructuring without information and consultation. The EWC (which allegedly no longer exists) filed a complaint against this legal opinion with the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) in London on 15 December 2020. A complaint in Dublin is also planned for early 2021. The EWC was originally founded in March 2009 (see report in EWC News 2/2009).
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4/2020
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