The team behind your representative:

Rest assured: the person representing you in the social dialogue with the employer for the next four years is well supported by ACV. Our representatives can rely on a team of experts and coaches who are happy to advise and assist them together with the trade union secretary. Who are these experts? Let’s listen to some of their stories.

Bram (legal expert at the Research department):
Importance of a long-term vision

“These are interesting times for a trade union. People are sufficiently aware of the major transitions, such as digitisation and the shift towards a sustainable economy. But the practical implementation still requires some efforts. It is part of a trade union’s responsibilities to develop a long-term vision in this regard. Everyone is encouraged to act especially in the short term, and it is a challenge to reflect about how we can break the deadlock.”

 

the practical implementation still requires some efforts.

“During trainings, I introduce representatives to the technical elements of a case. I point out that the legal aspect is only one element and that other factors also play a part in determining a possible global approach. I have a lot of autonomy and the possibility to set priorities within a framework. That is very important to me. I make suggestions for new collective labour agreements still to be negotiated and I point out gaps in the legal framework. At the same time, I offer valuable direct information to committed people. This information ranges from detailed notes to texts for a much wider audience. I really like this variety.”

Sandra (ACV Kader officer):
Delivering customised services at all times

“I’m responsible for ACV Kader, the network that brings together employee representatives and experts. We support the executive representatives and experience on a daily basis the relevance of bringing colleagues from various sectors together to address specific topics such as working hours, disconnection from work and participation on the shop floor. It is fascinating to put all this information at the disposal of executives who contribute to the social dialogue in their company. I get a lot of satisfaction from our efforts to provide customised services and from seeing the results.”

 

Transparent arrangements and serene dialogue help balance the individual employee’s role and the employer’s responsibility

“Lifelong learning and personal development should be our number one priority as AI, digitisation and globalisation present us with significant challenges. Transparent arrangements and serene dialogue help balance the individual employee’s role and the employer’s responsibility.”

Sebastiaan (Training department employee): focus on the person behind the employee

“I provide training to representatives. These trainings always give me a big boost, in particular in situations where we help a representative address a specific issue that has bothered them for quite a while. We share tips and experiences as a group and discover new possibilities. To me, these trainings are a success if the participants have learned all kinds of new things and implement these lessons on the shop floor with a great deal of enthusiasm.” Over the past few months, we have had to adapt quickly to the exceptional circumstances so as to continue to provide training to and exchange ideas with our representatives without physical contact.”

“It always strikes me how much knowledge and experience we have in-house. The representatives learn a lot from each other and share their practical experiences. They gain insight into the rights of employees but also into their own possibilities to perform their trade union duties well. They find out how to get the most out of negotiations with their employer and how they can involve colleagues in this process.”

 

We want employees to unite and stand up together for a pleasant and safe job that can easily be combined with family life and leisure activities

“I hope that employers will pay more attention to the person behind the employee in the future. When employers address the media, they usually talk about higher profit margins, competitive positions and flexibility tailored to their needs. Fortunately, the reality is more nuanced: plenty of employers recognise the importance of motivated and healthy employees. It is unacceptable that more than half of all people in Flanders do not have a workable job and that an increasing number of employees suffer from stress and burnout. This is where trade union work demonstrates its value: we can unite employees and stand up together for a pleasant and safe job that can easily be combined with family life and leisure activities.”

Jan (communication advisor): focus on job quality.

“Expectations change, the context is evolving. Sometimes very quickly, like during the coronavirus crisis. It is really fascinating to contribute to innovation within ACV. There will always be a need for trade unions, but I gladly help us let go of all stereotypes and clichés.”

“The Communication department develops numerous tools for our representatives. These tools make it easier for them to find the right information or make correct calculations in an efficient manner and to approach colleagues and interact with them. We have devoted particular attention to this interaction over the past few months, as the number of people who telework has soared and the distance between co-workers has inevitably increased as a result. However, we also like letting them have their say in our communications, so I often listen to the stories from the shop floor. This way, I try to map out the needs, so that ACV can give the right message.”

 

I gladly help us let go of all stereotypes and clichés.

“We have been working on quality of work for a long time, and I think this topic is only gaining in importance. A lot of people have questions. How do you achieve a healthy work-life balance? How do you hang on to your job if the pace keeps on increasing?  How do you maintain a good balance when working from home? The answers to these questions are to be found in the context of the different companies. Our future representatives should spend a lot of attention to these issues as far as I’m concerned!”

Fatiha (organiser): being close to the representatives

“I support our representatives by adopting an accessible approach and being close to them. Sometimes it suffices to exchange ideas about a specific situation, and sometimes more intense guidance is required. In the latter case, I help them develop a plan and a strategy step by step. That is also what I really like about my job. I come into contact with a lot of different people in different situations. And I can look at the specific context and assist them with my experience.”

 

Insights from colleagues in the field represent a very valuable addition to the structures that are set up by senior management.

“If I could choose a topic that should receive additional attention during the social consultations in the next four years, I’d go for work organisation and the importance of input from people in the field. Insights from colleagues in the field represent a very valuable addition to the structures that are set up by senior management. The social dialogue is an excellent platform in that regard.”