works council

American  

noun

Chiefly British.

1. an elected body of employee representatives that deals with management regarding grievances, working conditions, wages, etc.

2. a joint council or committee representing employer and employees that discusses working conditions, wages, etc., within a plant or business.

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works council British  

noun

1. a council composed of both employer and employees convened to discuss matters of common interest concerning a factory, plant, business policy, etc, not covered by regular trade union agreements

2. a body representing the workers of a plant, factory, etc, elected to negotiate with the management about working conditions, wages, etc

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Etymology

Origin of works council

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

IG Metall and Tesla are now locked in legal disputes after factory manager Andre Thierig last month accused a union representative of secretly recording a works council meeting.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

The works council, an elected body of employees that negotiates pay deals and working hours with management, has long been an unshakeable component of German corporate life, especially in the auto sector.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Zalando said it would begin negotiations with the Erfurt works council immediately and that it has developed some support offers to assist its employees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

"No site will be closed, no-one will be laid off for operational reasons and our company wage agreement will be secured for the long term," said IG Metall's works council chief Daniela Cavallo.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2024

Advisory committees are also appointed to deal with special subjects, e.g. the commissions de classement which attend to questions of promotion in the various branches of the navy, the naval works council and others.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7 "Fox, George" to "France" by Various