The European Works Council (EWC) of the Adecco Group has achieved a groundbreaking agreement aimed at fostering social dialogue and empowering local representation. Signed in October 2024 in Zurich, the agreement represents a significant milestone following years of effort by EWC representatives to overcome challenges and improve collaboration with the company.

The journey to this agreement was not without obstacles. Just three years ago, Adecco faced multiple disputes in UK courts over its EWC practices. The landmark ruling by the UK Court of Appeal, which protected EWC members from financial retaliation, was a turning point that underscored the resilience of Adecco’s worker representatives. This perseverance paved the way for a transformative agreement, heralded as a model for European Works Councils.

EWC Spokesperson Domenico Colapinto, representing the Italian union Filcams-CGIL, emphasized the broader implications: “This agreement is more than a solution to past disputes—it’s a step toward creating stronger, cooperative environments for social dialogue. It demonstrates that resilience and determination can turn even the most challenging situations into opportunities for genuine collaboration.”

Key Provisions of the Agreement:

1. Enhanced Collaboration: Local HR managers are now required to engage with trade unions in the election of EWC members, even in countries with weaker labour protections. This strengthens grassroots participation and ensures decisions reflect input from both European and local levels.
2. Standardized Protections: In countries with limited legal safeguards, EWC members are guaranteed protections such as immunity from dismissal or discriminatory practices. Adecco’s global code of conduct further prohibits intimidation and ensures ethical treatment of representatives.
3. Reverse Flow of Communication: Unlike typical top-down structures, the agreement mandates European representatives to inform and support local workers, particularly in countries without established national works councils. This obligation fosters dialogue and ensures alignment between European and national-level decisions.

The agreement also highlights the positive shift in Adecco’s corporate culture. The support of UNI Europa and strategic networking by EWC representatives played a pivotal role in achieving this outcome. By 2024, a new management team embraced social dialogue, culminating in an agreement praised for its forward-thinking approach.

UNI Europa Director for Platform and Agency Work, Dimitris Theodorakis, lauded the agreement as a “template for advancing workers’ rights across industries and borders.” He further stated, “This pact sets a new standard for multinational corporations, strengthening worker participation in transnational labour relations and promoting democracy at work.”

This agreement exemplifies the power of resilience, collective action, and dialogue in advancing workers’ rights, offering inspiration for other European Works Councils across industries.