Last week elections took place for the EESC’s staff committee. I am very happy to see that workplace democracy in the Committee is in excellent health; 546 of the 758 eligible voters voted – that’s a participation rate of 72 per cent. According to an ancient Presidential decision (from the 1970s), it falls to the Secretary General to convene the first meeting of the staff committee after the elections. So this morning the new committee was duly convoked and, after a short congratulatory address from yours truly, got down to its work. Staff representation is foreseen in the staff regulations that govern all of the EU institutions but even if it wasn’t an obligation I would want the Committee to exist. As the regulations put it, such staff committees ‘contribute to the smooth running of the service’ and that is exactly how I see it. The high turnout rate gives the committee legitimacy and authority in voicing staff concerns and I am much looking forward to working constructively with it and its members.