WRITTEN QUESTION P-1846/99 by Jacques Poos (PSE) to the Commission. Transfer of officials from Luxembourg to Brussels.
Date: 1999-10-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, seat of institution, transfer of businesses, worker consultation, worker information

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/65

(2000/C 203 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1846/99

by Jacques Poos (PSE) to the Commission

(11 October 1999)

Subject: Transfer of officials from Luxembourg to Brussels

The trade unions representing Commission staff in Luxembourg have informed me of their deep concern
regarding the Commission(cid:146)s reorganisation plans.

According to the trade unions, some 100 to 140 officials and their families are threatened with forced
transfer to Brussels and some 50 agency staff and service providers face losing their jobs.

The trade unions (FFPE, SE and US) stress that the Commission seems unaware that Luxembourg is one of
the seats of the European Union and that it is issuing instructions and taking decisions on over hasty
transfers to Brussels without having informed and consulted the staff representatives in Luxembourg.

Can the Commission state whether:

(cid:129) the claims made by the trade union representatives are correct?

(cid:129) if so, it has duly informed and consulted the staff representatives?

(cid:129) it has launched the consultation procedure with the Luxembourg authorities in accordance with the

framework agreement?

Only a clear and unequivocal answer and strict compliance with the relevant procedures would serve to
clear the new Commission of the accusation of carrying out a reorganisation without prior consultation
and in complete disregard of the transparency rules which it has formally laid down.

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 1999)

The Commission notes the concern expressed by the Honourable Member on the basis of reports made to
him by trade unions representing Commission staff working in Luxembourg.

The Commission confirms the statement made by Vice-President Kinnock directly to large meetings of
members of Commission staff, including trade union representatives, in Luxembourg on 6th October, and
subsequently given to newspapers for publication, that:

(cid:145)The Staff regulations require the Commission to inform the Central Staff Committee on major
administrative changes. This was observed by the Commission services before the adoption of the
restructuring package. The package of proposals was sent
to the Central Staff Committee on
24 September 1999; the Commission adopted the package on 29 September 1999.(cid:146)

(cid:145)The restructuring (of the Commission) does not require any movements of staff from Luxembourg to
Brussels and vice versa. Whilst, as in any Administration, some very limited movements between the
different places of work might occur over time, no decisions to this effect have been taken by the
College. In any event, the net effect of any such movements would be very small and any transfers
would take place through the advertisement of vacancies. There will be no (cid:145)forced(cid:146) transfers of staff.(cid:146)

In addition, the Commission emphasises that all requirements for consultation with Luxembourg autho-
rities will continue to be fulfilled.

These activities demonstrate that the Commission is clearly and actively aware of the significance of
Luxembourg as one of the seats of the institutions, and does not take decisions on transfers without staff
consultation following proper procedures.