Local Staff Committee

Electric vehicle (EV) charging-point disparity

Brussels, commuting, Environment, Geel, Ispra-Seville, Luxembourg, Mobility and Climate, Newsletter - 2024-04-11, OIB, Petten Print This Post

*Update 14.10.2024 Luxembourg-based colleagues, the maximum reimbursement (‘ceiling’) for cross-border commuter passes has been doubled to €500 from 01.10.2024.*

*Update 24.07.2024 the Green Commuting Communication for staff in Brussels mentions the ongoing provision of FREE EV charging there, with no end date in sight. There is no date as yet for EV charging to be made available (free or otherwise) in Luxembourg buildings. The same text proposes to pay Brussels-based colleagues who cycle €100 per year. We asked about provision for other sites, but the response was negative. Why the inconsistency? Mixed messages on greening undermine the whole idea.* Continue reading Electric vehicle (EV) charging-point disparity →

Immobile remboursements via Mobility.net

Brussels, Commission services, commuting, Mobility and Climate, Newsletter - 2024-03-15, OIB Print This Post

*Update 24.10.2024 We’re aware of OIB now accepting cross-border commuter passes reimbursement requests via myPMO, but Luxembourg-based colleagues are to use the same method as before.*

Original article: Brussels-based officials, temporary staff or Contract Agents, Generation 2004 has heard your dissatisfaction regarding the process of (partial) ticket reimbursement via Mobility.net loud and clear…

Picture this: You enrolled[1] in the Mobility.net system all those months ago and have had to wait until your third monthly ticket expires before being eligible to submit a request for the Commission to contribute to your travel costs. Continue reading Immobile remboursements via Mobility.net →

Ukraine: Easter action 2024

crisis-response action, Newsletter - 2024-03-15, Outside the Union, Ukraine 2022 Print This Post

*Update 18.03.2024 5 days of volunteering extended to 2024.* A group of volunteers is preparing an Easter transport with humanitarian help for Ukraine.

If you would like to support their action, please have a look at the Ukrainian handicrafts they offer for sale. To know how the group uses funds, please see the photos and videos from the last deliveries. Should you need more information, please contact the group directly. Continue reading Ukraine: Easter action 2024 →

Are we testing competences or IT setup?

Certification, EEAS, EPSO, Internal Competitions, Newsletter - 2024-03-15, Outside the Union Print This Post

*Update 19.02.2025: ‘By default, all [internal] competitions will be cross-category.’ (Stay tuned: A new approach for internal competitions) This is excellent news and should now put the Commission on an even footing with the Parliament and other EU institutions. We hope that this inclusion is genuine and that the competitions are not  otherwise skewed to reduce participation. This can run in parallel to the certification: use all your options!* Continue reading Are we testing competences or IT setup? →

Meet up in Seville! 20-23.02.2024

Features, Ispra-Seville Print This Post

*Update 21.02.2024: we are available at 001/A40 all day if you want to drop by and talk to us.* Original article: Generation 2004 colleagues from many different Commission sites will be in Seville from Tuesday (20. 02.2024) to Friday (23.02.2024). We will update this page with dates, times and places. Come along and tell us what you think needs to improve, what’s not working or even what you see as going well. What would you like to see change? How about how well JRC topics and tasks are distributed between the JRC sites? Come and tell us about the new JRC building plans and what they mean for you. We can tell you about the recent building moves elsewhere and what questions we need to ask. Continue reading Meet up in Seville! 20-23.02.2024 →

Your opinion matters – Canteens and Cafeterias – evaluation survey

Brussels, Health, Luxembourg, Newsletter - 2024-02-28, Surveys Print This Post

*Update 17.04.2024 We continue to pursue a canteen-price-reduction scheme for Brussels, like the long-standing one in Luxembourg. We continue to see very limited progress.*

Original article: The wellbeing of European Commission staff is of paramount importance for Generation 2004. Years after the lifting of pandemic restrictions, Continue reading Your opinion matters – Canteens and Cafeterias – evaluation survey →

Belgian tax certificate: childcare costs for 2023

Brussels, Childcare, Newsletter - 2024-01-08, OIB Print This Post

*Deadline extended to Friday 19.01.2024* Parents in Belgium: if you are in a household subject to Belgian taxation and you wish to benefit from the tax reduction in accordance with Belgian legislation you need to request this via MyIntracomm, it is not automatic. Please don’t miss out on what you’re entitled to! Continue reading Belgian tax certificate: childcare costs for 2023 →

Is e-voting the right tool for the JRC?

Brussels, Elections, Electoral reform, Geel, Ispra-Seville, Karlsruhe, Local Staff Committee, Luxembourg, Newsletter - 2023-12-01, Outside the Union, Petten Print This Post

*Update 23.07.2024 HR says its not feasible to have e-voting at Geel and Karlsruhe, once more money is cited as a factor, are we surprised?*

Original article: Digitalisation is everywhere: we pay electronically, we get our news and movies digitally and we even meet online. While some types of human interaction would, ideally, never be replaced, many routine administrative activities can certainly benefit from going digital. Nevertheless, it’s important to include those who will use new systems and procedures in the decision-making process: while we might save on queuing with e-Voting, are we maybe missing out somewhere else? Continue reading Is e-voting the right tool for the JRC? →

Gaza-Israel war: volunteering/donating

crisis-response action, News + Press, Outside the Union Print This Post

*Update 20.11.2024, thanks to the colleague who brought the EUstaff4peace letter to our attention, here is their  their letter of gratitude to HR/VP Josep Borrell. Their next vigil in Brussels takes place 28.11.2024* *Update 17.04.2024 We asked for the exceptional 5 days available for Ukraine-related volunteering be made available for those volunteering to help civilians caught up in wars elsewhere.*

Original article: Several colleagues asked what they can do to help. That is why we have tried to put together a starting list. There are limited volunteering initiatives Continue reading Gaza-Israel war: volunteering/donating →

Welcome to the Hotel Commission

Cost of living Luxembourg, EPSO, Internal Competitions, Luxembourg, New HR strategy, Newsletter - 2023-11-14 Print This Post

*Update 23.11.2023, thanks to the colleagues who shared their ideas on this situation, we have added their observations below.*

Original article: Luxembourg is a great place to work,  you just have to find somewhere to live first! In its increasingly desperate attempts to do nothing of substance (12 actions for Luxembourg, for example), while still claiming to be working on increasing the attractivity of Luxembourg as a workplace, the Commission now seems to have resorted to the roadmap set out in a classic song. Continue reading Welcome to the Hotel Commission →