Works Council Constitution Act

© AdsD „We demand a Works Council Constitution Act meeting the requirements of the Germany's labour unions' guidelines“ - protest in July 1952

On 11 October 1952 the Federal Republic of Germany promulgates the „Works Council Constitution Act“ which was adopted on 19 July by the Federal Diet. However, the act encounters disapproval from West Germany’s labour unions. It represents, from their point of view, a step back compared to the „Law on Parity and Co-determination for Workers in the Coal and Steel Industry“ activated on 10 April 1951. The law established equal representation of employees and employers on supervisory boards, whereas the Works Council Constitution Act guarantees employees only a third of the seats on the supervisory board of a corporation. Similarly it dispenses with the previously established position of labour director in the coal and steel industry, a person who enjoys the status of supervisory board membership.