This article evaluates the role performed by BMW's European Works Council (EWC) in the recent Rover crisis. During this period of great uncertainty a picture emerges whereby contacts achieved through the EWC came to play a central role in discussions and negotiations with BMW and Rover management. Of particular interest are the issues of trust relations between British and German EWC members and the changing attitudes towards each other. Here, the diverse points of reference resulting from contrasting industrial relations settings are discussed at some length. It is concluded that a new industrial relations platform now exists that could allow European trade unionists the chance to develop better cross-border relations as well as mutually supportive positions.
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