Interview with Véronique Gola (Chair of the Dahlem Staff Council)
Why was an early election called?
The early election was the result of a democratic decision, with the majority of the members of the Dahlem Staff Council voting in favour. However, the reasons for this are certainly as varied as the Staff Council members themselves. In my view, a new election is the right thing to do now that several members have left the FU. A successful committee thrives by having many and varied members who are willing to contribute new ideas and work together.
Why did you become a staff council member?
I have always been interested in staff council work. But as I’m French and didn’t grow up in Germany, I didn’t know for a long time how the staff council is organised at a German university, how I can get involved, etc. I worked for 10 years as freelance French language teacher at various German universities, in other words without social security provision and therefore not eligible for election. One of my initial motivations was to ensure that more academic staff are represented on the staff councils. As a former precarious employee, it is important for me today to keep an eye on structural and/or individual injustices and to ensure that they are rectified.
What skills set should you have if you want to be active on the staff council?
In my opinion, commitment and the determination to help shape the FU as a good employer are the most important things. Everything else – in particular knowledge of labour law or data protection, technical and legal skills, knowledge of the Staff Representation Act, etc. – can be acquired through training courses, run for example by the trade union. If the core competences of the staff council were made a requirement, it would be practically impossible for new candidates to be nominated. Political engagement and a desire to get involved in and for the FU are the starting point. Everything else can then be acquired later, with a view to improving working conditions. You can read about where there is room for improvement in this newspaper. Of course, the following interviews only give a small insight into the diverse working environment at Freie Universität Berlin.
Information on the new election of the Dahlem staff council
The elections will take place from April 23rd. until May 10, 2024.