Social elections 2024 - Vote ACV-CSC
Social elections will be held between 13 and 26 May 2024. During social elections employees in most private sectors elect their representatives to the Works Council (OR/CE) and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (CPBW/CPPT). Some 60.000 ACV-CSC delegates are running for office in more than 7.000 companies. They are the voice of their colleagues in the social dialogue!
Vote for solutions! 👍
Voting for ACV-CSC is choosing for constructive solutions! It's choosing for a union that's committed to the rights of all workers! 💚 Vote list 2, vote ACV-CSC!
ℹ What you need to know about social elections
General information
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Why are social elections important?
During the social elections you can make your voice heard. As an elected candidate, you will represent your colleagues in your workplace for the next four years!
The power of social dialogue
Social dialogue matters! Do not be fooled by the misconception that social dialogue in companies makes little difference – that the employer always has the last word, and that employees, the Occupational Health and Safety or the Works Council have little influence. The facts and figures prove otherwise. Scientific research, supported by companies' official annual accounts and balance sheets, confirms this.
In companies with social dialogue:
- Gross annual wages are on average more than 5,000 euros higher than in comparable companies without social dialogue.
- Many more employees have the opportunity to attend training.
- The difference ranges from 10% to even 30% in certain sectors.
- Job security is higher: there are more permanent contracts, less temporary work, fewer interim contracts, and fewer redundancies.
- The gender pay gap is smaller: there are fewer differences between the wages of men and women.
- There is more attention for well-being at work and fewer accidents at work.
In addition, the presence of social dialogue is reflected in the labour courts. More than 75% of the legal proceedings initiated by ACV-CSC are against employers who do not have social dialogue in the company. What is often arranged through the courts can usually be resolved more quickly via social dialogue and mutual consultation, which is better for both employees and employers.
Also read (in Dutch): ‘A union in the workplace makes the difference’ (Knack, 16 November 2020)
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Why vote for ACV-CSC during the social elections?
COMPETENT AND REPRESENTATIVE TRADE UNION
ACV-CSC is a representative trade union and has been the largest trade union for years! ACV-CSC is also a competent union, which is close to people and serves all workers. Which formulates constructive proposals, negotiates, and takes action when necessary.
ACV-CSC DEFENDS YOUR INTERESTS!
ACV-CSC knows what matters to you as an employee! If you vote for ACV-CSC, you stand up for good working and salary conditions, for you and your colleagues.
You are also choosing a viable career, with proper work-life balance. You are choosing a sustainable environment, less stress, more job security, and stability. -
Are there social elections in my company or organisation?
Social elections from 50 employees
In a company or organisation with at least 50 employees, an Occupational Health and Safety Committee must be elected. From 100 employees, a Works Council must also be set up. Under certain conditions, this also applies to a group of cohesive, smaller companies which, when combined, also employ at least 50 or 100 people.
Information about social elections
An employer is obliged to provide the necessary (written) information. If there are elections in your company, you will be kept informed about the various steps in the election procedure, such as:
- Information about consultative bodies for which you can elect delegates and the number of mandates that can be distributed
- The invitation letter with practical information about, among other things, the times and ways in which you can vote
No elections in your company yet, but you want to stand? Please contact ACV-CSC.
❗ Please note: social elections are only held in private-sector enterprises. The public services do not hold social elections. The law applies to both the profit and non-profit sectors. Therefore, it also covers subsidized free education, private health and social care institutions, adapted work companies, etc.
How can I vote?
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How do I cast my vote by letter?
You can vote by letter if your company has provided for this possibility. In that case, you will receive a letter from your employer, which contains:
- An invitation letter with instructions (read them carefully!)
- An empty envelope with a stamp and address.
- One or more blank envelopes containing a ballot sheet.
HOW DO YOU CAST YOUR VOTE BY LETTER?
- Read the instructions in the invitation letter carefully.
- Complete each ballot form.
- Cast a list vote or one or more name votes, but never cast more name votes than there are effective mandates. You can vote for multiple ACV-CSC candidates, but you cannot cast a vote for multiple lists!
- Finished? Place the ballot form into its original envelope. Important: never place multiple ballot forms into a single envelope. Otherwise, your vote will be invalid!
- Place the full blank envelopes inside the stamped envelope. Your name, first name and signature must be placed on the stamped envelope! (Your vote will remain anonymous). Otherwise, your vote will be invalid.
- Send your envelope by mail as soon as possible.
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How can I vote electronically?
You can only cast an electronic vote if your company has decided to introduce electronic voting. You will then see the following information on the home screen:
- The consultation body to be voted on (Occupational Health & Safety Committee or Works Council).
- A list of the various trade unions and their list numbers that have submitted candidate lists in your company.
First, choose your trade union (e.g., List 2 of ACV-CSC). Then you will see a list with the names of the various candidates in order of their nomination. You can cast a list vote or one or more name vote(s).
LIST VOTE
You vote for ACV-CSC and you agree with the order of candidates on the list. Then colour the bullet at the top of list number 2.
NAME VOTE(S)
Would you prefer a different order of candidates on the list? Then you can cast one or more name votes. You need to colour the bullet after one or more names on the ACV-CSC list. Please do not cast more name votes than there are effective mandates available. Otherwise, your vote will become a list vote.
Important: you don't need to be a trade union member to cast your vote. You can also vote for an ACV-CSC candidate if you are a member of a different trade union.
Do you have questions? This flyer explains you how to vote electronically correctly!
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How can I cast my vote?
You can cast a list vote or one or more name vote(s).
LIST VOTE
You vote for ACV-CSC and you agree with the order of candidates on the list. Then colour the bullet at the top of list number 2.
NAME VOTE(S)
Would you prefer a different order of candidates on the list? Then you can cast one or more name votes. You need to colour the bullet after one or more names on the ACV-CSC list.
Note: Do not cast more name votes than there are effective mandates available. Otherwise, your vote will become a list vote.
INVALID VOTES
Casting a vote for multiple lists invalidates your vote. You can only vote for candidates on the same list or cast a single vote at the top of the list. If you colour bullets on multiple lists, your vote is invalid!
Important: you don't need to be a trade union member to cast your vote. You can also vote for an ACV-CSC candidate if you are a member of a different trade union.
Do you have questions? This flyer explains you how to vote correctly!
FAQ's for interim workers
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Do interim workers have the right to vote?
Yes! As an interim worker, you can vote in the social elections in the company you work at. ACV-CSC has secured that right for you.👍
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CAST YOUR VOTE?
You get to choose the colleagues who help lay down arrangements for your pay, vacation, health, and safety, working arrangements, etc. in the company you work. So be sure to vote!
Do you have questions? Read more about it in this flyer.
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When are you allowed to vote as an interim worker?
To vote as an interim worker during social elections, you must be on the voter list and meet all the following requirements:
- You have worked as an interim worker for at least 32 days (with or without interruption),
- between 1 November 2023 and 31 January 2024,
- in the same company.
Is your name on the voter list and do you meet these three conditions? Then you can vote!
Important: you don't need to be a trade union member to cast your vote. You can vote for an ACV-CSC member if you are a member of a different trade union. Do you meet the requirements but are you no longer employed at the company? You get to vote anyway! (your travel expenses must then be reimbursed by the interim office).
Do you have questions? Read all the important information about voting as an intern worker in this flyer!
I'm running as a candidate
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Do I have to do it all on my own?
No, we do not just throw you in at the deep end. All candidates receive training from the start. You will learn about your rights and obligations, how to negotiate and how to meet and/or speak effectively in a group.
An ACV-CSC union secretary will coach and support you. And, of course, you will work with other delegates.
In addition, ACV-CSC employs experts who can help you with difficult questions and cases: lawyers, experts in economic and financial domains, and prevention advisers to assist with questions about well-being at work.
In short, you are far from alone, and you will be guided step by step during your mandate!
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Am i protected as a candidate?
Delegates who want to be there for their colleagues and carry out their trade union activities properly must be free to do their work.
That is precisely why, as a delegate, you are protected by law. Your employer cannot fire you or move you to another department because you are defending the interests of employees. Furthermore, the exercise of your trade union mandate must not stand in the way of you receiving promotion or other benefits.
New candidates
This protection also applies to new candidates, but only takes effect 65 days before the deadline for submitting the candidate lists. That means for the May 2024 elections, protection applies from mid-January 2024 – with the exact date depending on the election date in your company or organisation.
More Info
Campaign material and calender
Don't miss out on important documents and deadlines.👇