The proposal to end the Working Time Directive's opt-out clause is in danger of running out of time as talks in Brussels last week failed to reach agreement.
If the opt-out clause disappears, thousands of non-mobile workers in the UK transport industry would be unable to exceed the average 48-hour week set by the directive. In December the European Parliament voted for the opt-out
to be phased out after a transitional period of three years.
However, an agreement on the opt-out and other matters under review proved elusive as last week's conciliation talks between representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission ended without agreement.
The EU Council Presidency has proposed continuing the negotiations as informal "trialogue" discussions before deciding whether a final conciliation meeting is worthwhile. Time for an agreement is running out as the European Parliament shuts down next month in preparation for the June elections.
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