INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS The Europeanisation of the Trade Unions Trade union policy challenges and practical options at the European level HANS-WOLFGANG PLATZER July 2010 Given the predominantly conservative-liberal balance of power in the EU and the con­tinuation of the status quo ante in respect of key institutional issues due to the Lisbon Treaty, only limited regulatory action is to be expected in labour and social policy. Proactive strategies for dealing with this situation call for the expansion of transnational trade union cooperation. This applies to the organisational structure of European branch trade unions and union federations, as well as the transnational policy on agreements pursued in the social dialogue and the coordination of collective bargaining. In particular, the use of European works councils, which so far have been significantly underused as an instrument of participation in corporate decision-making, can contribute to a»Europeanisation from below«. Exploring selected Treaty amendments or exercising the option of differentiated integra­tion to deepen social policy coordination and regulation in the EU can be realised only through close agreement between Social Democrats and trade unions.