In 1992 the number of european works councils set up volun-tarily has increased. However, because of the absence of an EC di-rective on information and consultation rights in transnational groups, there are different patterns of european works councils ac-cording to the different national legislations. So most of the agree-ments provide information rights at a transnational level, some others also consultation rights, and in very few cases bargaining powers. At this critic moment for the approval of the directive by the EC Council, social partners are engaged in a discussion on the possible evolution of these experiences as part of an european in¬dustrial relation system, together with sector and intersectorial level.