Union Syndicale Bruxelles extends our gratitude to ECHA for the warm welcome and open dialogue during our recent visit.
For a long time, the ECHA Staff Committee has sought to connect staff with union representatives in Union Syndicale Bruxelles, fostering a sense of support and empowerment to encourage union participation and active engagement in enhancing healthy working environment.
Finally, last week, USB’s President, Niels Bracke and USB’s vice president from Agencies section, Valérie Bour arrived in ECHA. The visit dispels the notion that unions only advocate for officials in Brussels, highlighting USB’s commitment to all agency staff. During the visit, USB’s representatives engaged in personal meetings with staff, offering guidance on key topics such as: taxation, health insurance, promotion and mobility, harassment prevention and mediation effectiveness, pension as well as inheritance.
We also had a productive meeting with the Head of HR, where we shared insights on fostering good relations with the national tax agency and proposed a joint ambassadors system with JSIS. Additionally, our discussions with ECHA’s confidential counsellor coordinator emphasised the agency’s commendable harassment prevention strategies, awareness initiatives, and support systems for staff.
Our interactions with union members were invaluable, providing insight into their experiences and concerns. We proposed clarifying the reclassification system and collecting detailed examples of challenges faced with JSIS to identify potential solutions.
This engagement has been instrumental in raising awareness about the important role of unions within our community. The opportunity to connect directly with staff empowered our colleagues to actively participate in shaping a better working environment.
We also appreciate ECHA’s commitment to establishing a dedicated section for agency work, reinforcing the message that unions support all staff, not just those in Brussels.
Together, we explored strategies to enhance relationships with national agencies and addressed challenges faced by our members. ! We look forward to strengthening our solidarity and working together for a better future.
