Although it might sound like a simple goal, the need to be understood and recognized as distinct, valuable disciplines is a widespread sentiment across both ergonomics and usability.
Ergonomists complain their work isn't understood beyond the scope of comfortable chairs and keyboards. And usability professionals frequently have to explain that there's more to their field than making products user-friendly - although it's a good start. Debates peaked in 1998 when usability was suggested to be more based in design preferences and artistic choice than in reliable scientific principles. Although the merits of usability were never questioned, it did bring about changes in how professionals saw themselves.
Worse still, there is a common trend amongst those with a minimal understanding of either field, that the arrival of an expert is to be feared. They claim their job will be threatened and their projects compromised.
Between misinformation and a lack of information, it's unsurprising that ergonomists and usability experts want their fields publically recognized, beyond the sectors that already know them well