Social Dialogue

The ONE: the latest casualty of the hot-desking policy of the Commission

A silent revolution, without the involvement of staff and staff representatives.

One year ago, on Friday 13 March 2020, we were all told to go home and start teleworking. No one would have imagined at the time that by now the vast majority of staff would still be doing compulsory 100% telework.

However, while we are sitting at home doing our best to continue delivering on our objectives in spite of all the difficulties created by the pandemic, in our empty buildings things are moving fast. A silent revolution, already well under way, pre-Corona, continues full steam ahead: from DG BUDG, to DG TRADE, to the new Publications Office (OP) (POST-Mercier), to the Jean Monnet 2 (JMO2) and now rue de la Loi. Continue reading The ONE: the latest casualty of the hot-desking policy of the Commission

Central Staff Committee voted to continue Business as Usual

The Renouveau & Démocratie (R&D)-controlled majority in the Central Staff Committee (CSC) has rejected proposals from Generation 2004 to make the work of the Central Staff Committee more efficient, transparent and inclusive.

Under the guise of business continuity, it voted for the status quo, and to address none of the pressing problems that have hampered the work of the CSC for years. Continue reading Central Staff Committee voted to continue Business as Usual

Return to the office well out of sight

As we have done since the very beginning of the COVID‑19 pandemic, we at Generation 2004 continue to closely monitor developments and their repercussions on our working conditions, as well as the health and well-being of staff. In November we participated in two social dialogue meetings with DG Human Resources and Security (DG HR) to discuss all the issues pertinent to the health emergency.

Continue reading Return to the office well out of sight

From the special-leave-for-parents petition to the social dialogue meeting

Following the Generation 2004 petition for special leave for parents [1], and at Generation 2004’s specific request, 3 June 2020 DG HR organised a social dialogue (SD) meeting to discuss the difficult situation of colleagues who are struggling to cope with this no-school and no-childcare situation over this extended period. Continue reading From the special-leave-for-parents petition to the social dialogue meeting

Coronavirus Special leave petition results and social dialogue

Generation 2004’s petition for special leave for parents with young children was a great success. At the time of writing this article, it has gathered over 1950 signatures (Update: 2090 signatures as of 09/06/2020) [1].

Continue reading Coronavirus Special leave petition results and social dialogue

“Nihil de nobis, sine nobis!” at the EEAS Social Dialogue

Two rounds of social dialogue bilateral discussions between Director Francoise Collet of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Trade Unions (TUs) and staff associations (SAs) of the EEAS and the European Commission (EC), as well as one round with the Director General Gianmarco Di Vito (EEAS) were held through videoconference from our homes during the confinement. Continue reading “Nihil de nobis, sine nobis!” at the EEAS social dialogue

Ever heard of social dialogue and how important it is for the Commission Staff?

The social dialogue is a procedure, through which general implementing procedures affecting staff are decided in the Commission. It should not be confused however, with the staff representation, who is responsible to control and verify that adopted rules are followed by the administration. Continue reading Ever heard of social dialogue and how important it is for the Commission Staff?

Driving the Social Monologue

Here is a quote from the European Commission’s DG HR web page on the social dialogue: “The social dialogue aims at ensuring the permanence, the independence and the competence of the European civil service. This dialogue impacts on the staff policy and plays an important role in the human resources management in the Commission.” Continue reading Driving the Social Monologue