Newsletter #7 – Jul 2014

Full mobilisation to defend the weakest in Luxembourg

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

See here the STRIKE NOTICE by all unions and OSPs (including the FULL and UNEQUIVOCAL support of Generation 2004) concerning the precarious and grave situation of our contract agent colleagues in Luxembourg; again something to be proud of dear Commission. But of course, when you get too high in the ivory tower, the view down below easily becomes obfuscated by clouds, fog etc … especially in Luxembourg!

Legal assistance in Luxembourg

Generation 2004 Luxembourg Section is happy to announce the arrangement with a lawyer who agreed to provide free legal advice to members. If you need help, please contact us:

Ius est ars boni et aequi … but not in the European Commission – IMPORTANT NEWS for AST/SCs

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

In January 2014 many AST colleagues surprisingly found their posts reclassified as AST/SC without any prior notice or justification. Not surprisingly, Generation 2004’s initiative to propose a template for an Article 90 appeal also adopted by a majority of the unions (see here) was received with enthusiasm and many AST colleagues used this opportunity to demonstrate to the Commission’s HR services their frustration and dissatisfaction.

The long-awaited reply to their appeal is now just out. Surprise, surprise, in their reply the HR services keep trying to convince us that the reclassification of posts is simply a technical detail which does not affect – de facto or de jure – the real situation of AST colleagues. Continue reading Ius est ars boni et aequi … but not in the European Commission – IMPORTANT NEWS for AST/SCs →

…… and finally some lighter moments

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

An alle deutschen Kollegen:

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur gewonnen Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft J

Summer is here …

Well maybe not much applicable to greyish Brussels, but in your home country or wherever you might be heading for your well-earned summer holidays (see/hear also below). Enjoy & relax to the max …. and don’t look out for our Newsletter in August … as it will be on holiday too; although our Offices will remain open all throughout.

Continue reading …… and finally some lighter moments →

Cabinet appointments for common (but deserving) mortals

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

When the 5-year legislature of a Commission comes to an end, many Commissioners return to their home country whilst dozens of temporary agents that were once brought to Brussels by these Commissioners grab at any possible straw in order to secure a permanent and ideally high-paying position in Brussels. Of course, if possible, without the unsavoury and demeaning obligation of having to pass an open competition just like any other common and inferior European mortals.

There is certainly nothing wrong with a Commissioner exceptionally bringing in an outsider, a person of special confidence into his or her cabinet, but for the rest, cabinets have important jobs to do that often require detailed knowledge and experience of Commission procedures and policies. Overly relying on outsiders on the basis of special recommendations exposes the Commission to the influence of lobby groups and limits the efficiency of the cabinets right from the first crucial months of a legislature. Continue reading Cabinet appointments for common (but deserving) mortals →

Dirty games and money for nothing (or “NEPOTISM REDEFINED” for the more discerning)

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

The first results of the internal competitions were published on the Commission intranet. Hey ho! Like every fifth year it is again parachute- jumping season in the European Commission. Our HR pros, who say of themselves: “Our staff are dedicated to making the civil service of the European Union a modern, effective and dynamic organisation, fit for the challenges of the 21st century”, have again found a way to hand out the silken parachutes to the privileged few. Continue reading Dirty games and money for nothing (or “NEPOTISM REDEFINED” for the more discerning) →

Commission President-Designate Juncker endorses raison d’etre of Generation 2004

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

From the preamble of our by-laws establishing G2004 as an EU civil service staff association, August 2012:

” Generation 2004 commits itself to […] b) strive for the implementation of the principle of “equal recognition for equal work”, including substantially equal professional and career perspectives, both financial and non-financial”

From the speech to the European Parliament of Commission President-Designate Jean-Claude Juncker, 15.7.2014, ” A N E W ST A R T F O R E UR OPE”, Political Guidelines for the next European Commission, Section 4 (” A Deeper and Fairer Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base)”: Continue reading Commission President-Designate Juncker endorses raison d’etre of Generation 2004 →

Post-2004 redress: a Ray of Light???

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G2004 Newsletter # 7

You will remember that on 06 May we had amicably “challenged” all other unions and staff organisations (OSPs) to a “serious debate leading to concrete, common proposals which address the post-2004 problem” (see also here).

Along this line, you will also remember that in our May newsletter, we announced a conference for 20 June 2014, intended to tackle the post-2004 problem and which would ideally bring together all unions and OSPs together with YOU – the staff. Continue reading Post-2004 redress: a Ray of Light??? →