First a bit of context, Contract Agent (CA) colleagues (3A and 3B together) are now 24.5% of Commission staff, that is, CAs are the second-biggest group of staff (behind the biggest group of all: administrator (AD) officials). For some time now there are more CAs than assistants (ASTs) (counting both AST officials and AST temporary agents) and yet the CA salary, job security and advancement possibilities in general remain limited in comparison to other categories of staff. Continue reading Savings gone too far? A need for more and better contract agent advancement
CA screening
Unlocking Career progression for Contract Agents: untapped potential of GIPS Article 13
What is GIPS Article 13 (CA screening) and who can benefit from it ? Article 13 of the general implementing provisions (GIPs) for Article 79(2) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) provides a pathway for Contract Agents engaged under article 3a of the CEOS [*] to advance to a higher function group (so-called CA screening), provided they meet certain conditions. Continue reading Unlocking Career progression for Contract Agents: untapped potential of GIPS Article 13
Promotion/reclassification what happens now?
*Update 12.11.2024: Promotion and reclassification exercise final lists were published. As below, If your name is not on the final list then the only option remaining for you is to file a formal complaint, if you want to exhaust the possibilities.*
Original article: A long time has passed since June, when the draft lists were published, and there’s still some time to go before the final lists are out. Unfortunately, for anyone outside the corresponding committees, there’s nothing to be done on this topic in the meantime: we are all just waiting for the final lists. The last publication date was 10.11.2023, so we expect the timing to be similar in 2024. Continue reading Promotion/reclassification what happens now?
Lunchtime conference: the implementation of the Picard decision in the Commission
The European Commission has recently published the Conclusion 287/24 on the Picard judgement about pension rights and how it wants to implement it. During a Generation 2004 lunch-time conference on 29 April we explained what this conclusion means for you and which category of staff must consider taking actions. Continue reading Lunchtime conference: the implementation of the Picard decision in the Commission
The institutions implement the Picard judgement – sort of … FAQ
*Update 23.09.2025 European Parliament info added as footnote EP below* *Update 11.04.2024 we have received a response to our September 2023 note[*] on the application of the Picard judgement: see the new internal Commission Directive announced there: HR states their belief there that ‘case law requires the administration to interpret and apply the judgment in a narrow manner’ but does mention the option of challenging individual cases via Article 90(2).*
Original article: In April, we informed you during a lunchtime conference about the judgement in the Picard case and its far-reaching consequences for (former) Contract Agents (CAs) and temporary agents (TAs) or more precisely: staff that were previously covered by the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS). Continue reading The institutions implement the Picard judgement – sort of … FAQ
Lunchtime conference: the Picard case
*Update 23.06.2023: HR MyIntracomm article.* Do you want to know more about the recent Picard judgement C-366/21 P concerning Contract Agent (CA) pension rights? This case has repercussions on pension accrual and also on retirement age. We presented the different aspects of the judgement in this during our lunch-time conference. You can find the recorded video and the PowerPoint presentation here.
When is an upgrade not an upgrade? An update on the Picard case
*Update 23.06.2023 the Commission is to apply the judgment, but not to officials.* *Update 19.12.2022 C-366/21 P was successful! Well done to everyone involved! Here’s an external evaluation of the case and our own update.*
Original article: Legally speaking, is a contract renewal really a contract renewal? Is a second (or subsequent) contract considered to be a new stand-alone agreement or is it a continuation of an already-existing agreement? Given that Contract Agents (CAs) are now 25% of Commission staff [1] Continue reading When is an upgrade not an upgrade? An update on the Picard case
