Brussels, 04/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - Unions and the administration have agreed on a joint report on the European Commission's staff policy reflecting "broad consensus". On 18 July, the Commission will publish new guidelines on middle management, maintaining professional standards, disciplinary procedures and pay and pensions, taking account of the conclusions of the joint report, which has been drawn up by a High Level Body (chaired by Niels Ersboell, former Secretary General of the Council). The negotiations will continue, with the trade unions hoping they will be finalised in October.
The Commission and the staff unions agreed to postpone to the autumn work on the options for the reform of the career structure of European civil servants, which was the most controversial area of discussion. As the proposals on evaluation and promotion are closely linked to discussions on the career structure, they will be dealt with together. The Commission's two options in terms of careers (new ladder or changing the current structure) were rejected by almost all the members of the High Level Body, which is a victory for the staff unions. The Commission will need to have a rethink and come up with a system that improves the current structure by making it possible for someone to be promoted without hitting an artificial ceiling indicated a European official. They may decide to aim at having only two categories of staff (rather than four as at present). A Union Syndicale representative signalled that important progress had been made in terms of the evaluation and promotion of staff (to re-balance the Commission's decision-making power to give officials more weight), remuneration, equal opportunities, the disabled, special leave for family reasons and flexible working conditions, and equipment and social services for staff. No progress has been made on the issue of changing recruitment procedures. EUROPE will be looking at the entire package in a later issue.
Welcoming the report, the Vice-President of the Commission, Neil Kinnock, said: "We are on course to deliver a balanced reform proposal which respects the Financial Perspectives whilst generating sufficient productivity gains to finance improvements in staff policy. Clearly that will benefit all Commission staff as well as the Institution and the Union".