Strike threat over ‘polluted’ recruitment plan

By Martin Banks

Date: 06/11/03

THOUSANDS of EU civil servants may take strike action over proposals which it is claimed will "pollute" the institutions' recruitment policy.

The threat comes after MEPs demanded that new staff rules include a provision aimed at giving their employees preferential treatment if they wish to apply for another job in the institutions.

The controversial clause will entitle staff from the Parliament's political groups, such as secretaries or assistants, to fill any vacant post in any EU institution on the same footing as existing officials and with priority over applicants who have successfully passed open competitions.

The latter have to undergo a rigorous selection process, including examinations and interviews to test their EU knowledge and linguistic ability.

Union Syndicale, the biggest EU civil service staff union, representing 40% of Commission staff, claims the provision demanded by MEPs will enable "temporary agents" who work for the Parliament's political groups to penetrate any EU institution without having to go through the full rigours of open competitions.

Union officials met Neil Kinnock, the commissioner responsible for reform, on Tuesday (4 November) and he told them he will ask Parliament to reconsider the amendment when he meets the assembly's rapporteurs on the issue later this week.

Union President Alan Hick warned that his members would be balloted for industrial action unless the Parliament agrees to ditch its demand.

Hick said: "It was a positive meeting and we recognize Kinnock is trying his best and he does not want the whole reform package to unravel, as it could do unless this amendment is dropped. Feelings are running very high on this issue because this new jobs-for-the-boys clause directly challenges the integrity and independence of the European civil service."

Thousands of EU civil servants may strike over proposals which it is claimed will 'pollute' the EU institutions' recruitment policy by favouring staff from the political groups of the European Parliament.