Staff Categories

Unfair distribution of promotion quotas

Administrators, Assistants, Local Agents, Newsletter - 2021-09-08, Promotions, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Categories Print This Post

If promotion quotas were distributed equally and without discrimination by DG HR, then each function group (FG) – administrator (AD), assistant (AST), and secretaries and clerks (AST/SC) – would have the same or a very similar ratio of promotion quotas to eligible staff (those with a minimum of 2 years in the grade) [1].

Since this information is not publicly available, we had to politely and firmly insist that DG HR release the relevant statistics by making an access to documents request. Continue reading Unfair distribution of promotion quotas →

Please support colleagues in Afghanistan

EEAS, Local Agents, Petition Print This Post

We have written to the president of the Commission to ask that the European External Action Service (EEAS) leave no one behind in Kabul, Afghanistan. In response to the current political crisis we ask the EU to move now to arrange safe transportation and passage from the different addresses of colleagues to the airport where it is anticipated that they will be transported to safer locations via humanitarian flights.  Continue reading Please support colleagues in Afghanistan →

Deadline extension: LA employment-conditions reform

EEAS, Local Agents, Newsletter - 2021-05-21, Outside the Union Print This Post

Generation 2004 is glad to inform you that the deadline for Local agents to decide whether they would like to accept the new Local Agent conditions is now extended to 31 December 2021.

If you wish to have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Continue reading Deadline extension: LA employment-conditions reform →

Stated aims and reality: AST/SC

Junior Professionals Programme, Newsletter - 2020-07-01, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Regulations Reform Print This Post

*Update 23.09.2025: It’s now official: 50 AST/SCs are to have the (mis)fortune of doing an AST post without the corresponding AST promotion speed or career potential.  Check the Draft 2026 Commission budget: ’50 posts in the function group AST may be occupied by officials and temporary staff in the AST/SC function group to reflect the gradual phase-in of the AST/SC function group.’ (p. 955, footnote 1). While the Commission as a whole is set to lose 24 posts, the AST function group is to lose 121 (leaving 4398 permanent staff). No other function group is to decrease in size.* Continue reading Stated aims and reality: AST/SC →

UPDATE: Petition in support of Contract Agents!

Assistants, Contract Agents, Newsletter - 2020-07-01, Petition, Secretaries and clerks, Temporary Agents Print This Post

Remember our petition in support of Contract Agents from last year? The one that closed 27 November with 1 415 signatures? (Thanks very much for your support!) It’s now with the European Parliament and still moving! Here are details on the next steps[1]. Continue reading UPDATE: Petition in support of Contract Agents! →

UPDATE on teleworking in delegations – adapting work practice to a new reality

Local Agents, Newsletter - 2020-07-01, Outside the Union, Teleworking, Working conditions Print This Post

Generation 2004 wish to update you on teleworking in EU Delegations.

In January 2018, the European External Action Service (EEAS) started a teleworking pilot project in four Delegations. This was possible also thanks to the proactive role of Generation 2004 members who worked closely with the EEAS and the Commission (‘COM’) on this file. By the end of 2019, the number of Delegations covered by teleworking increased from 4 to 24 (out of 143 Delegations and Offices). In the pilot phase, colleagues had the opportunity to apply for occasional teleworking, subject to the approval of their hierarchy. Some Delegations have excluded local agents (LA) assistants and secretaries which is an issue of concern to be addressed. Continue reading UPDATE on teleworking in delegations – adapting work practice to a new reality →

The 2021 reclassification appeals season opens Tuesday 22 June, Generation 2004 is here to help

Contract Agents, reclassification Print This Post

*Please see the frequently asked questions (FAQs) from our promotion appeals conference on how to draft your appeal.*

Every year, the promotion and reclassification procedures, for officials and Contract Agents (CAs) respectively, go through several stages to culminate in formal recognition (or not) for the job performed during the previous years. During the first stage, your DG’s hierarchy put together draft reclassification lists according to the DG quota distribution, and discussed those lists with the staff representation (trade unions and staff associations (OSPs)). This first stage is now over and the DG reclassification lists will be published in Sysper on Tuesday 22 June! Please consult Sysper and check whether you are proposed for reclassification. Continue reading The 2021 reclassification appeals season opens Tuesday 22 June, Generation 2004 is here to help →

Stop the AST/SC exploitation NOW

Assistants, Junior Professionals Programme, Newsletter - 2021-06-16, Pensions, Petition, Secretaries and clerks, Staff Categories, Staff Regulations Reform Print This Post

*Update 13.10.2025 Point 6 below, internal competitions: there are to be 3 cross-function-group internal competitions which include AST/SCs, we look forward to seeing the eligibility criteria.*

*Update 23.09.2025: It’s now official: 50 AST/SCs are to have the (mis)fortune of doing an AST post without the corresponding AST promotion speed or career potential.  Check the Draft 2026 Commission budget: ’50 posts in the function group AST may be occupied by officials and temporary staff in the AST/SC function group to reflect the gradual phase-in of the AST/SC function group.’ (p. 955, footnote 1). While the Commission as a whole is set to lose 24 posts, the AST function group is to lose 121 (leaving 4398 permanent staff). No other function group is to decrease in size.* Continue reading Stop the AST/SC exploitation NOW →

Local agent employment-conditions reform

EEAS, Local Agents, Newsletter - 2021-05-21, Outside the Union Print This Post

Here are updates and the review process of the salary-revision decision. Subsequent to the conclusion of the social dialogue for the local agent (LA) employment conditions, which should replace the Framework Rules, all LA colleagues will have until 30 June 2021 to decide whether to sign the package of conditions. If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact Generation 2004. Continue reading Local agent employment-conditions reform →