The GPMU claims the Government has consistently opposed calls to undertake a major review of the European Works Council (EWC) directive.
"We believe they are opposing a review because of promises made by the CBI," said head of international and political affairs Geoff Hayward.
The GPMU also called for information to be made readily available to employees, and for consultations to take place with staff before decisions were made.
One of the purposes of the Directive when it was set up in 1994 was to ensure company restructuring was carried out with employees' knowledge.
But the GPMU claimed decisions were being made without consultation and employees were only being informed after the events.
Government sources were tight-lipped on whether or not it was in favour of a review, but a spokesman said: "We have told the Commission that they should look at the example of how the directive has worked in industry cases that have involved the DTI, such as BMW and Rover."
Some 600 EWC agreements have been put in place across Europe since 1994, with 20 in the printing industry sector in the UK, and at least five currently in negotiation.
Story by Andy Scott