Confederation of Christian Trade Unions holds four-yearly congress

The Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (ACV/CSC), Belgian's largest union organisation with about 1.6 million members, was due to hold its four-yearly congress in November 1998. This "union of value, with values", as it labels itself, will discuss the principles of "basic trade unionism", and intends to become a more representative, democratic and active union.

The Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond/Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens, ACV/ CSC) is the largest of the three representative trade unions in Belgium. It won about 60% of the seats on works councils during the most "social elections" (1995) and its membership has grown by about 30,000 over the last three years to about 1.6 million.

However, the leadership realises that serious adaptation is necessary. The membership profile has changed significantly: more women, more highly educated workers, more unemployed, more part-time workers, more young workers, more temporary workers and workers with precarious contracts. The confederation's policy, however, is still too much oriented toward the traditional image of the male full-time blue-collar or administrative worker. One of the resolutions for debate at ACV/CSC's four-yearly congress on 25-28 November 1998 proposes a positive action plan for more female employment within the confederation and a better representation of women activists within the union's own internal organisation.

Other important resolutions on internal union organisation include the following.

• more input from unemployed people, part-timers and temporary workers within the organisation. A quota system might be a possibility;

• "network trade unionism" - this implies the cooperation of blue-collar workers, white-collar workers and government employees within and across sectors;

• bringing down some of the barriers that separate some of the union's internal sections. Relationships between the white-collar and blue-collar sections should in particular be targeted for improvement; and

• improving the representation of workers in small and medium-sized enterprises via newly introduced forms of representation.

In a "Charter for the Activist", ACV/CSC outlines its commitments towards activists. These include firm promises concerning the right to training, information, guidance and orientation. In addition, a number of concrete expectations of activists is included. Activists are expected:

• to participate in training;

• to cooperate and negotiate with full-time union officials;

• not to misuse their position as a representative;

• to agree with ACV/CSC values and make an active commitment to disseminate them; and

• not to be a member of extreme right-wing movements or other movements with anti- democratic or racist objectives.

It should be clear, however, that a more active union does not necessarily imply more overt activity such as strikes. The intention is clearly to strengthen the activities of the union delegation s within companies.

This ACV/CSC congress aims at internal restructuring to prepare for the challenges facing the confederation in the 21st century. New working methods, new emphases and better preparation of activists and members are necessary to prevent structural inertia. In addition, the current chair, Willy Peirens, will announce his farewell.