While 70% of the social and economic committees (CSE) have been or will be renewed this year, succession is difficult. “ Almost all staff representatives encounter difficulties in attracting new recruits,” explain Marion Edern, general director of Syndex, an expertise firm for employee representatives.
“The number of candidates is decreasing over the years and the question of generational renewal concerns the social relations departments who want motivated and trained interlocutors,” recognizes Maud Stéphan, general delegate of Réalités du dialogue social, an association which brings together four hundred members (union officials, business leaders and representatives of public authorities).
Could this be a disenchantment with collective representation? “Before the 2017 ordinances, the representatives were rather specialized: staff representatives worked on everyday issues; the works council (CE) on collective issues and, finally, specialists on health and safety themes via the health, safety and working conditions committee (CHSCT)explains Nicolas Cauchy, general director of Prometéa, a training organization for staff representatives. Now the degree of demandingness of the mandate has increased. »
Actors now have several hats and a multitude of subjects, often broad and dense, to address. The mental load can be heavy. Additionally, they are not always well trained. “Two thirds of elected officials do not exercise their right to training due to lack of time or lack of awareness of their rights », specifies Nicolas Cauchy.
Finally, the expansion of prerogatives was not followed by an increase in resources. Franck Bonot, HR director of the boat manufacturer Dufour Yachts, chose, during the renewal of the CSE in March 2023, to grant overtime to members of the health, safety and working conditions commission. “ On a shipyard, safety issues are fundamental and it was important to give these prevention players, often close to the field, the means to best accomplish their mission. », justifies the HR director.
A negative mindset
“ Staff representation suffers from‘a problem of ignorance – this is why the theme of social dialogue should be included in the integration process for new hires – and also a lack of recognition”, analyzes Maud Stéphan. This is what Anne C. (who wished to remain anonymous) experienced. Affiliated with the National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions (UNSA), she was secretary of the CHSCT of her consulting company for eight years.
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