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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of works council

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

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

Tesla "is a real exception" in Germany given the absence of a union majority in the works council, said Ernesto Klengel of the Hans-Boeckler Foundation, which has close ties to the trade unions.

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

It was left to Daniela Cavallo, head of the powerful VW works council and the top employees' representative, to deliver the news.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2025

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