Empowering workers for the future

Dear members, partners and friends,

It is a great honour to have been re-elected as Secretary General of CESI for the next five years.

I am very grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making our 9th Congress a success.

Under the theme “Independence, Unity, Progress: Empowering Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow,” the Congress gave us an opportunity to reflect on our achievements while also addressing the challenges ahead.

CESI’s priorities are clear.

We need to strengthen collective bargaining and social dialogue, which remain the anchors of stability in uncertain times.

As we represent many public sector workers, we continue to stand for well-equipped and properly staffed to meet the growing needs of society.

Equally important is engaging with young workers and finding concrete solutions to their needs, such as affordable housing, fair internships, and access to skills.

At the same time, we cannot forget older workers, who are too often left behind during transitions, and we must increase our efforts to represent workers in atypical or platform-based work.

Our future work will require ambition, unity, and innovation. Yet I am confident that with strong partners, a clear mandate, and the dedication of our members, we can face all challenges.

I want to warmly congratulate the newly elected members of the Presidium. Their expertise and leadership will be essential as we navigate the years ahead: Romain Wolff, Urs Stauffer, Erzsébet Péterné Boros, Roberto Di Maulo, Patrick Fey, Volker Geyer, Dagmara Iwanciw, Javier Jordán de Urries, Milena Popovic Samardzic, and Norbert Schnedl.

My gratitude also goes to our guest speakers at the Congress —Roxana Minzatu, Nicolas Schmit, Li Andersson, Oliver Röpke, and Victor Negrescu— for their presence and their valuable contributions.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a successful new year, I remain

With kindest regards,
Klaus Heeger