Homage
Michel BORGHINI
1934 - 2012
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It was with deep sadness that we learnt, just before Christmas, of the sudden death of our dear friend and former colleague Michel Borghini.
Michel was a staff member of CERN from October 1965 to January 1999. Senior physicist, distinguished expert in several areas, he was in regular contact with Carlo Rubbia, Nobel laureate in physics and former Director-General of CERN, and with Pierre Dariullat, former Director of Research. Michel could have taken up a senior management position within the Organization. A founding member of the Senior Staff Advisory Committee, an advisory group of the Director-General, he understood the importance of dialogue to build a consensus that the various constituents of the CERN community, staff, users, Management and Member States, can support.
He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Staff Association for thirteen years, Vice-President for three years, then President for six years, until June 1996.
His analytical mind, his erudition, his organizational skills, the friendliness he created, his generosity, his commitment and his perseverance were all essential assets for the Staff Association.
Michel perfectly embodied an Association that defends the staff, encouraging dialogue and concertation without excluding the exercise of some pressure by union-like action, even going as far as conflict when necessary, yet always favouring concertation. Because of his approach, we were able to see the creation of the Tripartite Forum on employment conditions (TREF) during a period when CERN Council intended to exclude the Staff Association from the discussions. Thus the credibility of the Staff Association as a responsible social partner owes much to him. Michel also played a key role with regard to the legal defence of CERN staff members in the Administrative Tribunal of the ILO and he initiated a complete rewrite of the Statutes of the Staff Association.
Michel will remain one of the memorable figures of CERN. During these difficult and sad times, our thoughts go to his children and grand-children, his whole family and numerous friends, to whom we present the condolences of his former colleagues.
Thank you, Michel, for your example and essential contributions.
