*Update 13.12.2023 some 2000 (of the lowest-paid) colleagues have seen their salary drop in December.* Original article: We hope you had a positive surprise when looking at your June payslip; following the intermediate update last year (after decades without them), inflation is still so high that Eurostat’s calculations lead to a small update this year. While of course every little bit of help is welcome, the update value of 1.7% is clearly not enough to deal with the (still) sky-high inflation. Continue reading Another intermediate salary update – but beware the end of the year
Be aware of lost money for a pension transfer-in
*Update 06.11.2025 here is the link to retirement info on staff matters.*
Original article: Are you (relatively) new in the institutions? Have you worked somewhere else before and acquired pension rights in another pension scheme? Then you have surely heard about the possibilities to transfer your pension rights from your previous scheme into the EU pension scheme, a so called “transfer-in”. In an older article, we already informed you about the conversion coefficients that play a crucial role in determining how many years Continue reading Be aware of lost money for a pension transfer-in
The competitions are in dire straits
We’ve written a lot already about the issues related to the remotely-proctored EPSO competitions. When we first raised these issues on your behalf with EPSO[1] and its management board in December 2022 (and in April 2023), we anticipated that they would be addressed (whyever wouldn’t they be, right?). However, to our surprise (and disappointment), not much was done. To add insult to injury, the very same issues we highlighted then continue to be present, even across different providers, in the internal competitions: a situation we find both frustrating and scandalous. Nevertheless, the response continues to be unsatisfactory: ‘everything is fine’ (January, February and May). Continue reading The competitions are in dire straits
European Parliament requests changes in European Schools governance
*Update 18.03.2024 See European Parliament REPORT on the system of European Schools: state of play, challenges and perspectives.* Original article: Any colleague with children in European Schools realizes how many aspects need to be improved, but also looks with concern at any proposals for change.
The European Parliament took the initiative to launch a study on the European Schools in 2021. This was a follow-up to their 2011 report and subsequent European Parliament resolution. Various stakeholders were consulted, including students, parents and the European Commission. Continue reading European Parliament requests changes in European Schools governance
Generation 2004 supports staff in agencies
The staff of the Executive agencies of the European Commission (currently CINEA, EACEA, HADEA, Eismea, ERCEA and REA) have seen their working conditions deteriorate over the years.[1] Colleagues in the agencies are facing staff reductions while the budgets that they manage increase regularly. All this in a context of precariousness and limited career and mobility possibilities! Continue reading Generation 2004 supports staff in agencies
Minimum wage in Luxembourg for contract agents – Parliament shows the way
*Update 04.01.2024, our Contract Agent petition at the European Parliament is still open, please sign it!* *Update 01.09.2023: the social minimum wage for Luxembourg is now 3085.11 EUR gross (or 2570.93 EUR for unskilled workers).*
Original article: In March we wrote about a glimmer of hope for Contract Agents in Luxembourg, who are earning less than the national minimum wage and need a special allowance just to touch this very minimum. The problem is that the Commission includes a number of EU allowances when comparing the salaries to determine the amount of this special allowance (see Commission decision C(2015) 4907 and the administrative notice 07-2017, March 2017): most notably, the expatriation allowance is included in the calculation. Continue reading Minimum wage in Luxembourg for contract agents – Parliament shows the way
Reclassification: 5 working days to appeal!
For all contract agent (CA) colleagues not proposed for reclassification and who feel the reason is not related to performance but to other reasons: change of unit/department, parental/maternity leave, change of line manager, personal conflicts etc. you can file an appeal in Sysper. Check out our instructions and how to draft your text and the template below. Check Ares(2021)2467829 – 12/04/2021 CSC note on CA 3a (page 3) for average reclassification speeds and note that CA 3b staff cannot be reclassified meaning that, frustratingly, no matter how good your appraisal, there are no rewards associated with it.
Continue reading Reclassification: 5 working days to appeal!
End of service: informed decisions please!
*Update 09.01.2025 Please be aware of the end of contract admin and that the payment of the EU unemployment allowance (the extra, supplementary part) is not automatic: it must be requested and the deadline is very short: ‘within eight days after your contract ends, submit a formal application for EU unemployment allowance’ (p.7, Practical Guide, August 2023).* Continue reading End of service: informed decisions please!
Generation 2004 conference on 15/06/2023: How to draft an appeal
*** The recording and presentation of this conference are now available ***
For those of you not proposed for promotion or reclassification and who feel the reason is not related to your performance but to other reasons: change of unit/department, parental/maternity leave, change of line manager, personal conflicts etc., you may file an appeal in Sysper.
Generation 2004 will discuss how to draft such an appeal and answer your questions. The conference will take place on Thursday 15 June 2023 from 12.30 to 14.00 via WebEx. Continue reading Generation 2004 conference on 15/06/2023: How to draft an appeal
Webinars on Oral Tests and Computer-Based Tests
To assist you in preparing for ongoing and future competitions, Generation 2004, in collaboration with Ya Semos Europeos, is offering free online webinars on oral tests and computer-based tests (CBT).
These webinars will provide you with valuable tips and tricks for both types of assessments.
Please note that both seminars will be conducted in English. Continue reading Webinars on Oral Tests and Computer-Based Tests
