I have met today the staff representatives to update them on the state of play of the legislative process for the review of the Staff Regulations and the MFF. It was a very frank and constructive meeting where they expressed the concerns and requests of staff in a very serious and open manner.

As you know, the revision of the Staff Regulations is linked to the overall negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and on the issue of staff and administrative expenditure under Heading V of the MFF. The MFF will be discussed during the special European Council meeting on 22-23 November. The Commission works hard for an agreement at the November European Council and with the European Parliament by the end of the year. The Cypriot Presidency has just presented a new document for these negotiations. The Commission has taken note of this negotiating box, but does not agree with it.

After the final report of the JURI Committee of the European Parliament in June, the negotiations on the proposed changes of the Staff Regulations are on-going along the ordinary legislative procedure.  So far, Member States in Council have not agreed on a mandate to negotiate with the EP and the Commission (trilogues). It is therefore probable that the finalisation of the negotiations will take place only in 2013.

The Commission remains committed to strong European institutions and to a strong EU civil service. We must be able to deliver the policies which are so important for our continent at this crucial stage of European integration.

Of course, we cannot pretend that the crisis has no impact on the way we work. Therefore, we have to make an effort to become more efficient and we have to review some elements of the Staff Regulations which are outdated. This is the purpose of the proposal the Commission made last December.

On the other hand, it is essential not to break the machine; we have to strike the right balance. This is what the Commission proposal does: it strikes the right balance. The Commission defends this proposal and the EU civil service, in public and bilateral meetings. We gained broad support from the European Parliament for our proposal. Both, the Commission and the Parliament have to explain now to the Council why this proposal is the right one and why further, ill-conceived cuts would harm the institutions.

Some trade unions in the Commission have called for a strike on 8 November to support strike action by the Council trade unions. Other trade unions have a different view. I understand the worries and concerns by the trade unions calling for a strike in the Commission. The Commission respects the right to strike, but it is up to each individual staff member to ask him – or herself – if strike is an appropriate measure in the current context.

Irrespective of this decision, I want to assure you that the Commission remains committed to strong institutions and a strong EU civil service and will oppose any cuts and changes which will harm the ability of the institutions and staff to deliver the policies and missions foreseen in the treaties.

In parallel to the negotiations on Staff Regulation changes and MFF, the Commission services are working on a number of accompanying measures. For contract agents with contracts ending before the final Staff Regulations negotiations, measures will be introduced to facilitate the search of a job in other institutions, CAST lists will be kept open and services will be reminded that the global budget envelope can be used to finance interim contracts following national law. In addition, preparations are on-going for internal competitions in 2013 which will be discussed with trade unions before the end of November.

We will continue to keep you informed of further developments and in the meantime, please refer to the dedicated web site on My Intracomm, where you will find all related documents and the opportunity to have your say on this important on-going process: