Frayed Nerves on the 12^th Floor of the Berlaymont

Dear Mr Hololei,

To judge by your description, the “incident” of Monday 23, 2005 was more of a misunderstanding than anything else. There were no deaths, injuries, damage to property, not even threats. We believe this readily because, to our knowledge, there are no thugs among the contract agents, nor within the SFIE. If there is a justification for the special security zone on the 12^th floor, it has nothing to do with our colleagues, who, by the way, deserve as much protection as Mr Barroso, because they too are human, albeit not as well paid. If Mr Kallas missed the opportunity to speak with this large group of Contractual Agents,  he can find smaller groups of these colleagues at work wherever he goes, except in the VIP sauna, whose inviolability even the most militant respect.

What you write about the arrangements for a formalized dialogue according to the Framework Agreement is true as far as it goes. It seems unwise to rely exclusively on formalities when some of our colleagues are told that they will have to accept an 11% salary cut, only to discover later that it 40% is much closer to the sad truth. Perhaps the words “righteous wrath” describe there state of mind more accurately than to say that they suffer from “real anxiety”.

If you feel uncomfortable in the presence of 200 Contractual Agents there is the alternative of talking to individuals or smaller groups; they are not invisible, nor are they deaf-mute. Please find a way of having informal talks with them and other Reform victims that works for you on a personal level; understand that both sides benefit from communication. We remain open to informal and formal talks with everyone. Communicating with the A&D-L is not a reward reserved for those who please us; it is everybody’s right.          

Neither the 55% of French voters against the Constitution, nor the 81% of French workers who were part of that majority knew about the mistreatment of Contractual Agents. If this “strategy” of cutting the lowest salaries yet lower continues and becomes known outside the EU Institutions, (and can only be interpreted as a clear message for public and private sectors to further mistreat and exploit workers), the No-Block will continue to grow until it overshadows the Berlaymont, and eventually the entire EU.

As the work of the Commission is often judged by the public on the performance of the College of Commissioners, perhaps it is up to the College to implement the real values of a “Social Europe” instead of just giving empty speeches.

A&D-L Executive Committee