USW member participates in Solvay Global Forum in Belgium

Local 14-200 President Gregory May represented USW members at this year’s Solvay Global Forum in Brussels, Belgium.

This body was created in 2015 to foster internal social dialogue between the eight labor representatives of Solvay’s 30,000 employees and top management.

During the event, a representative from each business unit at Solvay gave an update on their respective areas, along with short- and long-term goals for the future.

May was also able to give a 15-minute presentation on some of the issues and goals USW members discussed at the Solvay Council meeting in early April.

Members of the forum heard from CEO Ilham Kadir and asked her questions directly to gain information they felt were pertinent to their regions as well as discuss the upcoming “Power of 2” company split.

“I was impressed with the open dialogue that occurred,” said May. “Solvay recognizes the benefit of these direct communications from its employees to the top line managers.”

The current leaders of Solvay are committed to keep the Global Forum operating even after the company split, which will begin at the end of this year.