Use of national law contracts at the JRC: follow-up
In
relation to the national law contract issue, we wish to inform you that
this morning a technical concertation meeting with DG HR took place.
DG HR shares much of trade
unions' concern about the derogation requested by the JRC to make use of a
large number of national contracts (12% of staff). They stated that
derogations, if any, should be strictly limited.
Concluding the discussion, DG
HR confirmed that this issue will have to be discussed in September at
political level with VP Georgieva.
We'll continue to defend a
correct application of the Staff Regulation at the JRC and we'll keep you
informed.
R&D writes to the Secretary General on Dieselgate
As a trade union we are particularly concerned with defending the rights
and good reputation of JRC staff who have worked meticulously, and we asked the
Secretary General what concrete actions are being taken to protect our
colleagues.
The Secretary
general has now replied to our letter confirming the
Commission's support for the JRC and for its personnel. Unfortunately though it is not clear that the Commission really understands the gravity of the situation.
In particular we wish to draw to your
attention this letter from
the EP EMIS committee of 2nd June in which EMIS
representatives appear critical of the JRC for an apparent retention of
information, opening the door to doubts about the transparency of the process. We believe that this criticism may damage
the JRC reputation even more than the scandal itself - the dividing line
between perception and reality is narrow.
In the meantime, articles continue to appear in the press questioning the management of this issue by all involved parties:
20.06.2016 Growing proof that EU suspected diesel fraud
We
believe that mistakes at this stage may cause a serious threat to the JRC and
the Commission, and further feed eurosceptic feelings throughout the continent. We call all those in key-functions to openly and transparently
collaborate with the inquiry body and to learn lessons for the future.
Brexit: consequences for UK officials
Upon request of the Alliance, Vice-President
Georgieva met the Trade unions on Friday 24 June to inform them about a
first analysis on the foreseeable consequences and immediate measures further to the decision of the British
citizens to leave the European Union. She wished to express the current deep sadness within the Commission, which now has to face an unprecedented situation.
Nevertheless, she stressed that the European project would go on. In fact, the history
of the last 50 years shows countless gains and achievements as to
economics, social rights and peace preservation.
At world level, by virtue of
its size and economic weight, the European Union has more opportunities to play
a significant role and has a greater influence than each single Member state
would have.
As to the UK officials of the European
Institutions, Vice-President Georgieva recalled the terms of the message sent the same day by the President of the Commission: « they are
EU agents and Brexit does not imply that the door would close on them; the Commission
will work together with the other European Institutions to ensure their
stability and continue counting on their outstanding talent, experience and
commitment. To summarize: same rights and obligations for all officials of the
European Union ».
Vice-President Georgieva also informed the Trade Unions of
the extraordinary European Council on Tuesday 28 June. She said
that the
Commission would immediately launch a “deep assessment” on “where we are and
where we are going”, and that the next months would be de facto a very
complicated period.
Pending the UK notification to leave the European
Union, which will activate the negotiations of the withdrawal Agreement in
accordance with Art. 50 of the EU Treaty, the Commission will draw up a
specific political agenda including the structural aspects that should result
from it, as to organization and functioning.
Transitory measures are not excluded, if we consider
that withdrawal negotiations can last up to 2 years, even
longer.
Although we admit that Vice President Georgieva promptly met the Trade Unions after the Brexit referendum, we pleaded for:
· the need for a dedicated social dialogue frame - Brexit-oriented - on a long term in
view of safeguarding colleagues’ acquired rights and legitimate
expectations;
· the importance to learn from the Brexit in terms of communication to the
European citizens;
· a re-invigorated defence of the gains and achievements of the European
Union in the political, economic, social and cultural fields;
· the implementation of an organizational and functioning stable framework as a necessary measure anticipating
the consequences of the Brexit on the structure of our Institution.
Considering
its strong interinstutional and “multi-area” presence, we as Alliance will ensure that proper and strict
respect is given to the general interest of the European citizens by means of an autonomous, competent and independent public function, as a key instrument of the achievement
process of the European project.
Use of national law contracts at the JRC
You can find here a joint
position of ALL Trade Unions and the Central Staff Committee expressing their
total rejection of a derogation requested by the JRC to make extensive use of
national law contracts (12% of JRC staff, i.e. c.350 posts).
The request is in
contradiction with the agreement reached in a political concertation in 2009
with Commissioners Potočnik and Kallas, when it was decided to phase-out
'Grantholder' national law contracts in favour of statutory positions.
The European Commission, in
fact, decided many years ago to move away from national law contracts wherever
possible, and this derogation if granted would circumvent Commission rules and
practices.
Please also find the joint statement of the "JRC Board of Governors".
A vision for the future of the Ispra site
Today five trade unions - representing a large majority of Ispra staff - have gone one step further presenting their vision to strengthen the Ispra site and the JRC at the heart of the Commission.
In our letter sent to VP Georgieva we are asking for the full alignment of the functioning of the Ispra site to current and future practices and standards applied in the rest of the Commission.
One major change consists in an increased used of Offices. Moving the management of infrastructure & logistics from the JRC to OIB , as well as aligning the Ispra site with standard practices, would help to address the conclusions reported in the "Audit of JRC portfolio of buildings", and provide at the same time a better career perspective for involved contractual agents for whom indeterminate contracts may become possible. The concept of moving financial support to PMO or another new Office could also offer similar benefits.
Thanks to a DG-neutral approach to infrastructure management, we see future possibilities to host more DGs – in addition to the JRC – at the Ispra site. We consider this move as the most promising one to keep - and even increase - the overall size of the Ispra site, thus guaranteeing a long and prosperous future to it and its staff, with increased opportunities for recruitments and staff mobility.
27 July 2016 - Reply from VC Georgieva
Worried by cattle market? Mobility space is the solution!
The new tool has finally been announced, and we invite all interested parties to explore the dedicated page on Connected.
The concept of this innovation, that R&D has fought for over many last years, relies on the provision of opportunities for staff to change their post in a flexible way, even without a published vacancy.
This new system is expected to become more and more advantageous as more people sign up, thus creating more openings for everybody desiring a change for their professional growth.
As R&D, we'll be very attentive and monitor how the new system will be administered, to ensure the full exploitation of its possibilities for the benefit of both staff and the JRC.
We insisted to make this new tool available before the upcoming JRC reorganisation: don’t be a victim of the cattle market, flag your availability in a transparent way!
Celebration of Europe Day and the Charlemagne Prize in a time of crisis
On the occasion of the Charlemagne
Prize 2016 awarded annually for work done in the service of European
unification, Pope Francis made this
acceptance speech before the Presidents of the three European Institutions
(the speeches of Martin Schulz - Jean-Claude Juncker - Donald Tusk). This
declaration represents a very sombre reflection of the deep crisis that Europe
is now facing but which at the same time provides a unique opportunity for
finding a future path.
At the moment Europe seems to have lost its
spirit, its values and its momentum. To the same extent our Institutions seem
unable to redress the situation and often give the impression of themselves
being resigned.
In common with the citizens of the EU, staff of
the Institutions are feeling despondent and a growing concern over a "tired
and aged Europe, sterile and lifeless, where the great ideals that inspired
Europe seem to have lost their attractive force".
R&D hopes that the enthusiastic reception
that was reserved for the speech by the Presidents and other senior
representatives of our Institutions that were present, can materialize in a
transformation of actions and management of our services in order to make staff
feel once again to be at the heart of the European project we have chosen to
serve.
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