About the strike on 11 April 2003

Where?

Strikes will be held simultaneously at the Council, the Commission and the other institutions to signal our opposition to the Council and send a warning shot across the Commission's bows. Parliament staff will already be taking action on 9 April, with more planned right up to the end of May. Our message must go out loud and clear if negotiation is to have another chance. There will be pickets and a "snake" to see to it that all the action goes smoothly.

Why?

With the reform already creating problems, the Council is now trying to undermine the conditions of employment and the pension scheme, not just for new recruits but also for existing officials, be they in their 30s or their 60s, As or Ds, or already retired – and whatever institution they belong to (see our "ten good reasons to go on strike").

How?

On Wednesday 9 April the OSP (trade union or professional organisations) will see whether or not they can accept the list of requisitions at the Council and will inform staff accordingly.

The strike is not against the Convention, but Convention documents are not the sort of documents that should be processed during a strike.

All colleagues not requisitioned are invited to join the picket line or stay away from work.

The Appointing Authority and certain department heads are asking staff to state whether they are going to join the strike. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO MAKE ANY SUCH STATEMENT.

At the Council it is customary for arrangements for docking strikers' pay to be negotiated between the Appointing Authority and the OSP when the dispute is over..

Hierarchical superiors, including Directors and Directors-General, have just as much right to strike as anyone else, and indeed we think they should set an example by doing so.

To strike is a fundamental right. Faced with measures that present an irreversible threat to the future of the European civil service and European integration, we need have no qualms about exercising that right.

So pick up the phone NOW and tell the Union Syndicale (6469) or the FFPE (8112) that you will be on the picket line on Friday 11 April 2003 from 8.00 to 10.30.

For the Staff of the Council

F.F.P.E.     Union Syndicale

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