03/05/2019 (Agence Europe) – The European Patent Office (EPO) Trade Union recently announced a letter sent at the end of April to the President of the EPO, António Campinos. In this letter, the trade union organisation reveals disciplinary proceedings which it considers “unfair” against staff and in particular trade unionists at the EPO. Based on a survey, the unions are also concerned about current managerial practices, noting that only 27% of staff feel that they can express themselves to their superiors and only 16% of staff say they have confidence in the decisions taken by management. The trade unions insist on the need for the EPO to respect the European Social Charter, and in particular Article 28 on the right of workers' representatives to protection in the workplace. To read the letter: https://bit.ly/2ITM0Xq. To access the survey: https://bit.ly/2WSDaMI. (PH)