Firm faces legal threat from foreign workers
Page 10
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Tibbett and Britten could be sued by its foreign workforce if it fails to set up a European works council by next March, says the Trades Union Congress.
Any action would result from the company's legal obligation to allow its Continental workers access to a cross-Europe works council—even if domestic workers are excluded because of the Government's opt-out from the social chapter, the TUC warns.
The TUC says it is unaware of any plans by Tibbett & Britten for a works council. The company was unavailable for comment.
Under EU law, multinationals have until 22 September to set up voluntary works councils. Companies failing to do so have until 22 March 1997 to begin to set up more tightly organised work councils which follow strict European Union rules.
Two other large transport operators, NFC and Transport Development Group—also tar
geted by the TUC—say they are keeping European regulations.
NFC says no workers have requested a works council and therefore it is not obliged to organise one. TDG says it should have a voluntary works council in place by 22 September.
71 Works councils are a crossEuropean forum for discussion between staff representatives and management for the discussion of issues such as health and safety, investment plans and merger activity.