Pension plan for Parliament staff gets rough ride

Date: 05/12/02

By Martin Banks

UNIONS in the European Parliament have launched a protest petition at a possible shake-up in the pensions scheme for staff.

The Alliance of Free Unions, which is circulating a petition at the Parliament, claims there are plans to put off the age of retirement for the assembly's army of civil servants from 65 to 68.

The union opposes the pay and pensions package agreed between other staff unions and Reform Commissioner Neil Kinnock.

Franco Ianniello, of the Renouveau et Democratie union, a member of the alliance, said: 'The conditions of retirement laid down in our staff regulations are more unfavourable than in any EU member state and the whittling away of our remunerations package has already resulted in the Parliament losing its competitive position in the jobs market.

'Very few of the successful candidates in our open competitions actually accept a post in Parliament once they become aware of their potential income and the cost of living in Brussels and Luxembourg.'

Pierre Blanchard, secretary-general of Union Syndicale, disputed the claims and said: 'No final decision has been taken on the pay and pensions package but there are no plans to put back the age of retirement. The only possible change is the level of contributions made by staff.'

Unions in the European Parliament have launched a protest petition at a possible shake-up in the pensions scheme for staff.