German Court Affirms Works Councils Can Claim Office Staff and Modern IT as Alstom Workers Demand Transparency
14.06.2026 - 00:23:26 | boerse-global.de
A landmark ruling from the Federal Labour Court has reinforced that works councils in Germany are entitled to more than just basic equipment. Under the Works Constitution Act, employer-provided resources now explicitly include suitable office space, up-to-date information technology and — crucially — dedicated administrative personnel, such as a minute-taking assistant or organiser. The court confirmed that councils can enforce these demands through legal channels.
However, a key caveat remains: the employer decides which employee is assigned to the council. External training courses and travel expenses must also be covered by the company.
As works councils claim their entitlement to proper resources and support, health and safety compliance is one area where comprehensive documentation is essential. A free toolkit provides ready-to-use risk assessments, checklists and toolbox talks to help UK employers meet their legal duties. Download the free Health & Safety Toolkit
The practical importance of this entitlement surfaces in times of crisis. At the Kassel site of train manufacturer Alstom, some 930 staff are awaiting decisions on the location's future. At a works meeting held this Saturday, employee representatives demanded clear commitments regarding ongoing locomotive production.
At the insolvent fashion retailer Wöhrl, the group works council complained that during the debtor-in-possession proceedings it was not sufficiently involved. Adding to the difficulties, the rollout of a new SAP system produced faulty payroll calculations, forcing lengthy negotiations between the council and management on a temporary halt to reimbursement claims.
Data-Protection Pitfalls with AI and Digital Tools
The growing use of software and artificial intelligence for meeting minutes and correspondence carries risks. The Lower Saxony state data protection commissioner has warned against "shadow AI" — the use of private accounts for professional purposes.
Since 1 August 2024, the EU AI Act has been in force with binding rules. Companies and works councils must now issue clear internal directives for AI tools and provide data-protection compliant alternatives. The goal is to safeguard sensitive operational information from unauthorised leaks or misuse.
New Laws Shift the Landscape
A further regulatory change will take effect on 1 May 2026, when the Federal Collective Bargaining Compliance Act comes into force. From that date, public contracts worth over €50,000 will be preferentially awarded to companies that are bound by collective agreements. The GEW trade union has pointed out a gap: Germany’s collective-bargaining coverage currently stands at around 49 percent, whereas EU directives target 80 percent.
The growing focus on compliance with workplace regulations echoes the need under the Health & Safety at Work Act. Is your organisation fully compliant? A free toolkit includes a checklist to identify potential gaps and a director's liability guide. Get the free Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 Toolkit
In Dresden, a specialist seminar on company pension schemes was cancelled due to insufficient demand. Replacement events are scheduled for August in Kassel and September in Dortmund.
