Belgium: merger between the CSC’s construction and energy-chemistry federations

The largest federation within the CSC. The 234,000 members of CSC Bâtiment-Industrie, which gathers workers in construction, cement, glass, wood, graphics and paper, and the 50,000 members of CSC Energie-Chimie (chemistry, oil, leather, hairdressing/fitness/beauty care, wholesalers, drug distributors, gas and electricity) gathered to form the union’s largest federation. With 284,000 people in 22 joint committees, the new CSC BIE becomes a heavyweight for wage negotiations.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

chemistry, oil, leather, hairdressing/fitness/beauty care, wholesalers, drug distributors, gas and electricity) gathered to form the union’s largest federation. With 284,000 people in 22 joint committees, the new CSC BIE becomes a heavyweight for wage negotiations.

Win-win merger. “Before the merger, 35 collaborators dealt with the CSC Energie-Chimie’s business. It’s no longer enough to have some weight in European talks” explained Luc Van Dessel, the leader of the new CSC BIE. Thus, the merger

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: Medef publishes guide to support career transitions and retraining
France's largest employer federation Medef has provided its regional representatives with a practical guide designed to support career transitions and retraining. Structured around three key tools...
6 February 2026
EU: Commission wants to facilitate entry of international ‘talent’
In a recommendation published on 29 January, the European Commission calls on member states to take a series of measures to attract and retain international talent. It targets holders of skilled...
France: social partners’ conference on work, employment, and retirement sets out roadmap
Until the summer, French social partners from both the private and public sectors will hold talks on labour, employment and pensions, with the aim of developing shared positions to inform public...
ENI incorporates just transition and AI into global agreement
On 13 January, Italian energy group ENI renewed its global agreement on international industrial relations, corporate social responsibility and the just transition with Italian unions CGIL, CISL...
5 February 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Germany: government seeks to facilitate immigration of skilled Indian workers
During a visit to India earlier this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the strategic importance of attracting Indian workers to Germany, signing a series of cooperation agreements...
2
France: Medef publishes guide to support career transitions and retraining
France's largest employer federation Medef has provided its regional representatives with a practical guide designed to support career transitions and retraining. Structured around three key tools...
6 February 2026
3
EU: Cyprus unveils its six-month presidency programme
Cyprus has set out its priorities for its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU. On the social front, the centre-right government will focus on the Union of Skills, which aims to boost...
4
France: 2026 budget expected to maintain employer contribution relief
On 19 January 2026, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu decided to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass France's 2026 budget without a vote in the National Assembly. Three days...
5
Informal economy and slow wage growth hamper decent work, ILO says
The International Labour Organisation published its Employment ans Social Trends 2026 on 14 January. It anticipates unemployment stabilising in 2026 and employment growth of 1%, driven by...
6
EU: Commission wants to facilitate entry of international ‘talent’
In a recommendation published on 29 January, the European Commission calls on member states to take a series of measures to attract and retain international talent. It targets holders of skilled...