Union chief steps up pressure on Kinnock

Date: 15/02/01

By Simon Taylor

THE European Commission's biggest staff union is warning it will strike unless administrative reform chief Neil Kinnock agrees to negotiate with workers before making key decisions.

Union Syndicale (US) has stated it will use "all trade union means - including industrial action if necessary - to defend the quality, independence and reputation of Community administration".

"Staff are fed up to the back teeth with Kinnock's method of deciding first and then going through the process of negotiations," said union president Alan Hick.

He claims morale within the Commission has plummeted, with many staff complaining of frustration over how changes have been handled so far.

This, combined with fears that Kinnock's plan to overhaul the promotion system is designed to cut the wages bill, has pushed union members towards strike action, Hick adds.

But Kinnock's spokesman insists the Commissioner is still confident he can find common ground with the unions.

"There is no doubt about the need for real change to modernise staff policy," the aide said. "But at the same time there is no intention to ride rough-shod over the staff or the staff unions. Reform is being carried out for the staff and with the staff."

A resolution adopted by the union last week slams Kinnock for his "determination to impose a technique of fait accompli" by having the Commission approve his proposals before knowing the unions' position.

But Kinnock's aide hit back, saying: "There have been very extensive consultations, both formal and informal, on reform since the start and that will continue".

The Commissioner is set to table plans on 28 February for a new career system which aims to link promotion more closely to merit rather than length of service, as happens under existing rules. And he has told Commission officials that he will fight to protect their pay and pensions in his negotiations with EU governments on the reform proposals.

But unions are worried that the changes to the career structure, which are designed to reward high achievers, will reduce the overall wages bill by cutting back on the opportunities for promotion. The Commissioner's spokesman tried to allay those fears, saying: "Kinnock has made it clear that he doesn't think that the overall pay and conditions should be reduced. This is a promise he will keep."

Meanwhile, Hick's organisation wants Kinnock to defer all reform decisions until the end of negotiations and to create a "true social dialogue".

Unions organised a mini-strike at the Commission's offices in Luxembourg two weeks ago in protest over Kinnock's refusal to discuss rationalisation plans before the Commission had approved an options paper.

The European Commission's biggest staff union is warning it will strike unless administrative reform chief Neil Kinnock agrees to negotiate with workers before making key decisions.