What is BeCA?

BeCA is a professional association, representing the interests of one profession: the pilots. It is not a recognised union. Indeed, there are a few conditions that need to be fulfilled to be recognised as a union in Belgium. One of them is a certain amount of members. Even if every pilot in Belgium would be a BeCA member (which is our goal of course), we would still be too small to become a regular union.

So from a purely legal perspective, our companies are not obliged to listen to or involve us. However, thanks to our recognised expertise in aviation matters and our focus on safety, we have become an indispensable partner, be it within the companies, with the BCAA or the cabinet of the Minister.

What about Unions?

Unions are legally recognised. Companies must listen to them, sit together with them and make agreements with them. They are the official staff representatives towards management.

Within the unions, there are 3 positions/roles:

• Union Delegate
• Staff Representative for the Health and Safety Board
• Staff Representative for the Company Council

Union Delegate:

• is appointed by his/her union
• has the right to negotiate (Common Labor) Agreements and call for actions
• is appointed until his/her union decides otherwise
• Protection is 1 year of salary (on top of the normal dismissal fee).

Staff Representative for the Health and Safety Board:

• is put on the list for social election by his/her union (every 4 years)
• His/her mandate is a result of elections
• sits in the Health and Safety Board exchanging information with the management on all issues that concern the safety and health of the staff.
• Protection is 1 to 3 years of salary (depending on seniority) + the remaining time of the mandate + the normal dismissal fee.
• His/her mandate runs until the next social elections.

Staff Representative for the Company Council:

• is put on the list for social elections by his/her union (every 4 years)
• His/her mandate is a result of elections
• sits in the Company Council where he/she is informed on the financial, economical and social balance of the company.
• Gives advice, information and point of views on a wide range of topics and checks that the company sticks to his agreements and applies the correct social laws.
• Protection is 1 to 3 years of salary (depending on seniority) + the remaining time of the mandate + the normal dismissal fee.
• His/her mandate runs until the next social elections.

Any combination of the different roles in the union is possible!

BeCA and unions?

BeCA and unions have found a symbiosis in the past years. Whilst BeCA represents and defends the collective interests of the pilot profession, unions represent the interests of all workers and do not necessarily have the specific expertise on pilot matters, which BeCA does. We are complementary and need each other in many ways. Many BeCA Vice-Presidents, who represent each company in BeCA executive committee, are union representatives as well, which means that we have a direct influence within the unions on the one hand and the company on the other hand. If we want to ensure that our union representatives fully understand and defend our positions, it is of utmost importance that our members get involved at union level as well. That is why we, as BeCA, urge the pilots not only to become a BeCA member, but also a union member and we encourage and support our members to apply for official positions within the unions.