R&D Ispra: Reform 2013

Showing posts with label Reform 2013. Show all posts

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

New Staff Regulations: presentation on JRC Intranet

In case you couldn't attend the presentation about the new Staff Regulations given last week by the JRC Human Resources, you can find it at this link
At the following link, you can also find a list of questions and their respective answers related to some aspects affecting careers.
As already anticipated in a previous message, we are preparing a series of art. 90 complaints to be lodged against the most critical aspects of the new Staff Regulations.
These art. 90 templates will be made available well before the end of March (deadline to introduce complaints).
Don't hesitate to contact us in case you need any additional information or support related to your personal situation.

Thursday, 13 February 2014

Future legal actions against the new Staff Regulations

Many colleagues are asking us about our plans to proceed with against the most controversial rules enforced by the new Staff Regulations. As already announced in our message of 4 February to all staff, we share staff view that these legal actions should be managed by all Trade Unions together, thereby avoiding non-coordinated initiatives as much as possible.
At the moment we are working hard - together with other Trade Unions – to provide you the highest possibilities of success in these actions. To this extent, a large pool of legal experts has been put in place and is preparing a series of art. 90 complaints. If you don't see anything coming out from us yet, it's not because of inactivity or lack of interest. On the contrary, we are supporting a coordinated approach, and we are working hard on it. So, don't panic! The deadline for an art. 90 complaint is 31/3/2014. Well before this, you'll get the chance to contest – in the best possible way – aspects of the new Staff Regulations that are negatively affecting your working life and career.

Friday, 19 July 2013

Contractual Agents: the effects of the Reform

In our previous messages, we explained the changes that will be introduced from January 2014 with the reform of the Staff Regulations. One of those changes is the extension from 3 to 6 years of the maximum duration of the period of employment of the Contractual Agents type 3b within the Institutions.

Several Contractual Agents whose contract will end shortly contacted us to inquire about the possibility to work again for the Institutions once the reform has entered in force.

Most probably CAs whose contract ends in a period of time (6 months probably) close to the entry into force of the new staff regulations will have the possibility to keep their job and have another 3-year-contract. Former CAs who already had 3 years of contract within the institutions may have the possibility to work for other 3 years without taking part to a new EPSO test. Of course everything has to be settled in the negotiations related to new General Implementing Provisions (the rules governing the implementation of the Staff Regulations in each Institution) related to the recruitment of CAs. It is clear that these new regulations will only open possibilities, the agent must also fulfill the needs of the service, in other words, no contract extensions or renewals will be guaranteed.

Furthermore, it is expected that internal competitions may exceptionally be opened to Contract Agents FG II, III, IV but with tight restrictions (i.e. already having 3 years of service and with access only to certain kinds of competitions based on grade and function group). Only up to 5% out of the total amount of recruitments may come from these internal competitions.

Note that we give this information based on information currently known; more details and certainty will be obtained upon the revision of the General Implementing Provisions.

R&D Ispra will follow this file very closely in order to support the legitimate expectations of the Contractual Agents, and will be available to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime we recommend existing CA staff to discuss the options with their direct superior.

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Reform

The Commission released two days ago a summary document on the reform. You can find it here.

Monday, 1 July 2013

Reform: R&D Ispra analysis of the proposed agreement

With this message we want to provide you with our analysis and some reflections on the proposal/agreement on the reform from the point of view of the content rather than the form of the process that lead to it, since we believe that you will be more interested in what it means in practical terms than in the negotiations and the formalities as such.
Before going to the analysis we want to stress that we are by no means happy with the agreement and that it can be only considered as a "least bad" result as compared to what could have been the case. We shouldn't forget that the whole exercise was not meant to improve all benefits for staff or to "repair" the mistakes of the reform of 2004. No, it is just a money saving operation that was executed under political pressure from many Member States, which will in fact not really save so much money in the end. The Member States proposed a major deterioration of the staff regulations, e.g. by the elimination of the expatriation allowance; application of the levy to family and other allowances; cutting pension entitlements by as much as 20%; raising pension contributions by 36%; pension age up from 63 to 67; recruiting future secretaries and clerks on 20% lower salaries, just to mention a few of their demands. We agree with the sentiments of our colleagues of the European Parliament and we want to quote them here: "If it had not been by the firm stance of the EP all these measures would had seen the Official Journal. We feel we need to express our thanks to President Schulz, rapporteur Roth-Behrendt and JURI chair and shadow rapporteurs for their defence of a permanent, independent and competent European civil service."
In the light of this, it is realistic to at least have a look at the agreement in detail to be able to look at the real outcome, rather than focusing on emotions. Bear in mind that with the completely diverse population of staff, i.e. "old" before 2004 staff, "young" after 2004 staff, CA's, TA's, end of career, start of career, singe staff, staff with family, "expats", etc. it is impossible to find a compromise package that minimises the dissatisfaction of everybody to the same extent. For the Member States the old slogan "divide and conquer" seemed to be the strategy.
The analysis of the agreement was presented and discussed in the R&D Ispra meeting of Thursday 27 June open for all our members and with their valuable input we arrived at the following interpretation (see link). In the agreement there are many elements that continue with the deterioration path started with the 2004 reform. However, there are also some improvements (i.e. 6 year contract agents with also possibilities of internal competitions; automatic payment adjustment clause (method); increase of salary grid and recruitment level for AST/SC; increase of promotion rate of AD5 - AD7 colleagues; insertion of clause supporting the European Schools) and flexible working-time arrangements.If the agreement will be accepted by the EP, the task for the staff representation will be to try to minimise the negative impact of the application of the new rules and to continue with the defence of the EU and its staff.

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Strike on 26/6

At this moment the technical reading of “the proposal” for the amendment of the Staff Regulations is going on and we don’t know yet what the outcome will be. It looks like the current proposal may be subject to further changes. Though we think that a detailed understanding should be the basis for the decision to strike or not, R&D Brussels (under umbrella of the Front Commun Intersyndical) calls for a strike tomorrow. We, R&D Ispra, haven’t made an in depth analysis of the consolidated compromise yet, but considering the limited time we express our loyalty to the position of R&D Brussels. As already communicated in previous messages the decision to strike or not is totally yours. At this link you may find the full text of the proposed modifications of the staff regulations that could be of help for you to decide.

Monday, 24 June 2013

Our consideration on a possible strike

We have received several questions from members on the position of R&D Ispra considering the message of Vice President Šefčovič and the strike notice that was issued by the trade unions. Based on what Šefčovič said R&D Ispra thinks that it is worthwhile to wait for the final texts and the outcome of tomorrow’s trilogue before calling for a strike. If a final agreement is along the lines explained by Mr Šefčovič we believe that it is – although certainly not ideal - a realistic and acceptable compromise. If however, the devil is indeed in the detail and the final texts deviate significantly and negatively from what is on the table now, the option for a strike is still open.

We’ll keep you informed in the following days.

Thursday, 30 May 2013

Update: trilogue reform

This morning we attended a meeting with Mr. Frutuoso de Melo (Deputy Director General DG HR) to update staff representatives on the discussions of yesterday’s trilogue.

The main topic discussed in the trilogue was the method for the annual salary adaptation. An agreement now seems to be possible on a proposal from the European Parliament which is very close to the initial proposal of the Commission. The main change would be the presence of a “moderation” clause according to which the adaptation would be split into two halves when the increase of purchasing power is over 2% (half paid on 1^st July of year before - as was the case with the previous method - and half paid on 1^st April of the current year).

This moderation clause is only related to the change of purchasing power, the inflation would always be reflected in the annual salary adaptation. It was explained that this moderation clause, if it had already existed over the past 20 year period, would have been applied only one time, in 2009.

The topics for discussion at next week’s trilogue will focus on careers and pensions. Regarding careers, the EP might also be open to negotiate with the Council a link between high AD grades and responsibilities.

Concerning other measures, the Commission is maintaining its position.

Monday, 18 March 2013

Parliament pushes for change to the MFF

As you may know on Wednesday 13/3 the Parliament voted a resolution against the long-term budget 2014-2020 (MFF) as agreed during the last Council summit held in February (during our last R&D Cafè given on the same day - 13/3 - we gave this information "live"!)

The vote of last Wednesday does not imply that the whole MFF negotiations will have to start from scratch, it was only an intermediate step in the co-decision procedure. The Parliament will give or refuse its consent on the MFF in July 2013.

With the vote of last Wednesday, the Parliament expressed its concern about the following main points:

- a lack of transparency and respect of the EP role during the negotiations of February

- the need for flexibility in the budget between different items of expenditure

- the need for a mid-term review of the MFF, after the establishment of the new Commission and EP

- no roll-over of 2013 unpaid bills into the new MFF

The EP is clearly showing to the Council that its increased power given by the Treaty of Lisbon has to be taken into account. The fact that the EP is counterbalancing the Council is positive for the defense of the European project and the public service that makes it possible!

In this context the reform of the staff regulation is not expected to enter into force before Jan 2014 at least.

For more information on the vote of Wednesday we invite you to have a look at the Parliament press relase and the Commission press release.

We remind that you can find more information on the MFF and the reform on the R&D website.

Friday, 8 March 2013

Latest update on the reform

As you know, during the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations that took place early February, the European Council decided to cut the administrative spending by Euro 1.5 Billion. This comes on top of the Euro 1 Billion saving that the Commission proposed on a voluntary basis with the reform of the Staff Regulations tabled in December 2011 (see our previous message).
In order to find the extra 1.5 Billion saving, the Commission proposes to freeze the salaries and pensions of all the staff employed in the EU Institutions, agencies and other bodies over the next 2 years (2013 and 2014). This means that the provision of the method that expired on 31 December 2012 to align the evolution of EU staff remuneration and pensions to that of national civil servants will not be applied for 2 years, even when the method will be reinstated following the reform.

R&D café on Multiannual Financial Framework: 13/03/2013

We are pleased to confirm the previously announced R&D Café on the topic of the recently agreed MFF. As you will be aware, the agreed budget includes a further reduction to the administrative heading beyond that already proposed by the Commission. This will naturally reflect on the future administrative spending and the proposed "Reform" of the Staff Regulations.
On 7th March the "Groupe technique Rémuneration" (GTR) will meet and a discussion of the method for salary adaptation and other aspects of the reform are on the agenda. R&D will be present and we have decided it would be most useful to hold the R&D Café after this meeting so we can present the latest possible scenarios and listen to your views.
The R&D café will therefore take place on 13/03 at 13:00 in Room 3 (bld. 36). Please come along and share in the debate over a coffee!

Thursday, 14 February 2013

R&D cafè: Multiannual Financial Framework

During the recently concluded European summit (7/8 February 2013) the Council approved the Multiannual Financial Framework programme 2014-2020; the conclusions can be found at this link. Last Monday 11/2 the vice-president of the European Commission Mr Šefčovič discussed the MFF with the trade unions which gave us the possibility to understand better the Commission view of the programme. As regards Heading V (see pages 39/40 of the MFF conclusions) on the administrative expenditures (salaries, European Schools, etc.), a cut of €2,5 billion has been foreseen (€1 billion more than the Commission’s initial proposal) together with the confirmation of the already announced staff cut of 5% for the period 2013-2017. Furthermore, it has been proposed that no salary adaptation will be applied for the next 2 years, while it is not clear yet what it will happen to the solidarity levy. The European Parliament will now evaluate the Council proposal: it's up to the MEPs to decide whether to accept or reject it, but no amendments are possible.

Negotiations will be carried out in the coming weeks: if you want to know more or express your views please come to the R&D Cafè that we are going to organise by the end of February. Stay tuned!

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Reform: latest news

It is clear that the reform will not be implemented on 1 January 2013. The discussions stalled at the Council, who has been unable so far to reach a common position. No progress so far.

R&D Café: join us and have your say!

Your R&D representatives are currently working on several topics of importance to the staff and the future of the JRC.
We would like to inform you about the status of these issues, and at the same time receive your feedback about them.
To this end we have planned a series of informal encounters in which your R&D colleagues dealing with each topic will
present the latest developments after which the floor will be open for comments and discussion. And then a coffee!

In order minimise the disruption to your work schedules, we have planned the meetings from 13:00 to 13:45.

Calendar
Reform: what is happening to our staff regulations?   22/11/12 – Amphitheatre (bdg.36)
ACGH: from Grantholder scheme to AC contracts     05/12 /12 - Room 3 (bdg.36)
Correction Coefficient: latest developments               11/12/12 - Amphitheatre (bdg.36)
European School and attractiveness of the JRC Ispra 02/13 – date and venue tbc
Research at the JRC: possible future scenarios          02/13 – date and venue tbc

Future topics for next meetings:
Ispra site, Administrative burden, Trade unions' role

We want to listen, inform and act!

We are really looking forward to a large turnout: please invite your colleagues too!
We remind you the Secretariat is always open if you want to pass by personally.

Friday, 27 July 2012

Reform 2013

Hereafter we give an overview of the main elements of the amendment of the Staff Regulations (the so-called “Reform”), which should be implemented on 1st of January 2013.
For the sake of clarity, we remind that:

· The European Commission finalized its proposal of Reform in December 2011.

· The European Parliament has put forward amendments to the Commission proposal in April 2012.

· The Council hasn’t yet communicated its position but should do it during the autumn 2012.

We detail these three steps in the following “Snapshot on the Reform I”, “Snapshot on the Reform II” and “Snapshot on the Reform III”.

Snapshot on the Reform III: Opinion of the Council

As no agreement has been reached in the Council Status Working Group so far, it is expected that the discussions will continue in September, under the Cypriot Presidency.

If the reform of the Staff Regulations will not finalized for end of 2012, it is highly probable that specific dispositions will be adopted for the annual salary adaptation and the special levy.

Snapshot on the Reform II: European Parliament amendments

(based on Myintracomm - blue network or Myintracomm - green network)

This is a summary (not exhaustive) of the most important changes to the Commission's proposal. The main amendments adopted by the JURI Committee can be divided into 2 categories:

Snapshot on the Reform I: main Commission proposals

(see also Myintracomm - blue network or Myintracomm - green network)

The main points of the CE proposal [COM(2011)890] of 13/12/2011 are set out below:

2012

Another year has almost passed and you might be worried what 2012 will bring to you, your family and friends, Europe or maybe the whole world. It is definitely not the easiest moment. We all know that those who are against a possible regulation of the financial markets are as well the owners of the newspapers and TV channels. And, let’s not forget, a manipulated public is made believe by misleading media (often steered by the very profiteers of the current crisis) that it is good news when these nasty, overpaid and useless civil servants are getting punished.

Where are R&D and the JRC standing in this complex situation?

As R&D Ispra we are aware of the importance and impact of the financial markets and we would welcome more JRC involvement in this issue. For this reason we have organised a presentation on the bonus and rewarding culture given by an external banking expert to all staff in the new Auditorium on Friday 20 January 2012 10:30.

Having been the leading force behind the harmonisation of the JRC administrative processes, the first Scientific Open Competitions ever and the move of the JRC to the heart of the Commission, we can conclude that at least for the moment, taking also very well into consideration what is happening "outside", we are not the worst off. That doesn't mean that we are happy with the way the JRC reorganisation was communicated to staff or that we will just accept the proposed changes of the staff regulations. The problem of the proposal for the new Staff Regulations is the intention behind it and what the Council will do with it. If the modifications were proposed to improve the efficiency of the European Commission, reducing the costs at the same moment, it would have been easier to accept them. But we have the strong impression that the intention of the proposal is to weaken the European Institutions. However, what is happening didn't just come out of the sky; we informed you in our 2008 electoral programme under the Crystal Ball chapter. We guarantee that R&D will continue to defend your future, accepting compromises on, for example, working hours but strongly against a further abuse of temporary staff on permanent jobs or weird calculations of the Correction Coefficient.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

What we are doing for you

Welcome back, we hope you enjoyed your holidays.
What can you expect from us during the next 4 months?
a) Tomorrow, Wednesday 7/9 at 10:00 (New Auditorium – bdg. 58) there will be an Assembly on the Correction Coefficient. We will inform you on how we foresee to continue our legal battle in Court.
The actual proposal of the Commission for the new method would mean that the 2010, 2011 and in particular the 2012 Correction Coefficient will have a permanent negative impact on our salaries from 2013 on!
Please, join us tomorrow for a more detailed explanation.
b) We are participating in the working group (GTR) organized by DG HR and EUROSTAT trying to protect Ispra for a further decline of the CC in 2011.
c) We are actively participating in the negotiations with DG HR on the New Commission Reform. We will continue to encourage the Commission to increase the role of the JRC within the Institution.
d) Our people are active in the different appraisal and promotion committees, trying to help those colleagues who lodged an appeal against their 2010 CDR.
e) We will continue to push for further investments to improve the site. As you can see, our efforts have led already to some remarkable results. Some others are still under construction.
These are only a few examples of what we are doing at the moment. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like some more information or support on whatever subject. We are there for you!

PS: an info that might be useful for those who rent an accommodation: if you gave a “Libretto di Risparmio al Portatore” to your landlord for the 3 months guarantee, please note that according to a very recent Decree, the value of a Libretto must be less than 2500 EUR after 30 September 2011, otherwise a penalty of 3000 EUR is applied!
Ref.: http://www.posteitaliane.it/resources/bancoposta/pdf/normativa_antiriciclaggio.pdf

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