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F4E
          
The
Fusion for Energy Joint Undertaking (F4E) is based in Barcelona (Spain). The
ITER project is based at Cadarache (France)
Contact persons : Paul Wouters, Gerard
Gomez Escudero, Chiara Cavalieri, Marlene Flageolet
Monsieur Stavros CHATZIPANAGIOTOU est Vice-président de U4U pour les Affaires
générales et Agences de régulation
Mailbox : U4U@f4e.europa.eu
The Unions arrived at F4E,
who are your local representatives ?
In-depth Administrative Inquiry on F4E working
environment
Lettre ouverte au Directeur
de Fusion for Energy concernant les graves conséquences de la dégradation
des conditions de travail (Mai 2021)
Answer from the Director of F4E to the above letter
Status of the F4E Administrative Enquiry
(June 2021)
JOINT COMMUNICATION BY F4E TRADE UNIONS - Information
to Staff on the results of General Assembly November 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Following the General Assembly of F4E staff of 9 November 2021, and the
subsequent vote on the proposal by the three trade unions (US, R&D and U4U)
representing F4E staff, we would like to communicate the results of the vote of
the General Assembly of Staff and the next steps forward.
Resolution adopted
1. F4E staff express their deep disappointment for the way the preliminary
assessment to the inquiry for the tragic loss of our colleague Mario X was
conducted, and in particular the failure to provide clear conclusions on the F4E
professional environment
2. F4E staff questions the conclusions of the preliminary assessment to the
inquiry, which does not take into account the continuous degradation of the F4E
working conditions, and express their concern that this situation will continue
and may affect more staff
3. F4E staff has decided (164 in favour, 92 against, 48 abstentions) to call
for a strike as a means to protest against these events
4. F4E staff has decided (219 in favour, 50 against, 35 abstentions) to ask
the representatives of the three trade unions present at F4E (US, R&D and U4U)
to bring the concerns of Fusion for Energy to the attention of the political
authorities in Brussels and discuss with them how to improve the situation in
the organisation
5. F4E staff has decided (225 in favour, 43 against, 36 abstentions) to ask
the F4E Staff Committee and the trade unions to explore the possibility of
launching their own independent study to look into the root causes of the
deplorable professional environment in F4E
Next steps
1. The above resolution will be communicated to the F4E administration and
the members of the F4E Governing Board
2. A strike is called for the morning of 24 November 2021 (half day) in line
with Article 28 of the Agreement and the trade unions will give a prior notice
to the administration as foreseen by the framework agreement signed with F4E. In
memory of our colleague Mario X and in solidarity with his family and close
colleagues, we invite all F4E staff to gather together virtually on 24 November
at 11h (a link will be provided).
More information on the different actions will be communicated in the days to
come.
We would like to thank the F4E Staff Committee for their support and
excellent collaboration.
Most of all, we would like to thank all members of staff for their massive
participation in the General Staff Assembly and the subsequent vote – it is a
clear sign of the difficult moments facing us, but also of the commitment of the
staff to move forward and work in together to improve the F4E working
conditions.
EPSU, R&D and U4U
Notice of work
stoppage (Nov 2021)
Election au Comité du personnel 2021
U4U à Fusion for Energy (F4E): un an déjà!
First U4U general assembly of its F4E members (20/04/2021)
Dear Colleagues,
It is a great pleasure to be here today with you for this first U4U general
assembly of its F4E members.
Your general assembly is being held at a very particular time:
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First of all, after more than two years of collective
effort and difficult negotiations an agreement has been signed with the
executive director of your agency. Moreover, after a difficult start, the
social dialogue is now functioning thanks to union involvement and to the
support of both the staff and the staff committee; |
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So, U4U, which has been the main driver for this
positive development, has grown and increased its F4E membership and thanks to
its more than 70 members is now present in all staff categories; |
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In the current climate, questions are being asked
about how the agencies function. As you are aware, following extensive
consultations with the agencies staff, U4U submitted 6 specific demands to the
Commission president: If these demands are accepted, they could greatly
improve staff working conditions; |
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In addition, the union landscape has changed at F4E
with the late arrival on the scene of a third union. Given the limited number
of staff, this risks weakening the representative presence of each trade
union- not necessarily ours! |
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Last, but certainly not least, there are the imminent
elections to the staff committee. It is important that U4U members both
participate and vote in these elections. If several of our members are elected,
this will increase our influence on the social dialogue within the F4E agency
and contribute to the continued improvement in staff working conditions. |
I wish you the very best of luck in these upcoming elections.
In addition, I encourage you to continue strengthening your team through ever
greater involvement of all of your members in U4U activities.
Georges Vlandas
F4E Staff Assembly – 19 March 2021 : Opening Remarks by U4U – Georges
Vlandas
Dear colleagues,
I remember now, it was more than 4 years ago – back in 2017 - when we were
invited to come to Barcelona for the first time. We had the opportunity to meet
with all of you - F4E staff - and with the Director and the senior management.
It took two more years to negotiate and sign the agreement between F4E and us,
U4U and EPSU, which opened the way for a structured social dialogue, in a
similar way that happens in the Commission and many other European agencies –
every year more.
The negotiations were not easy as F4E management was not clear about the
added value of a social dialogue – in particular one that takes into account the
developments in all the European institutions. However, the persistence of F4E
staff as expressed in a various staff assemblies, and a little help from the
Commission, finally made the agreement possible. It was signed in May 2019, and
formally started in October 2019.
In this year and a half, we have discussed a number of issues important to
all of you: for some, we have reached an agreement, for other the discussions
will continue: Contract Renewal, Long Term Human Resources Plan, Professional
Incompetency and the job landscape.
On Brexit, U4U has fully supported the European approach of F4E to retain all
colleagues with British Nationality.
We think that the social dialogue started 18 months ago has been a success.
And we are also happy to hear that a third union may be interested to join the
agreement and we would be happy to work with them as well for the benefit of F4E
and its staff.
U4U has played a crucial role in these discussions:
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we have put on the agenda issues stemming from a
direct consultation of our members here in F4E; |
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we have always tried to ensure a common position with
EPSU – the two unions speaking with one single voice makes everyone stronger.
We will do the same in case there is a third union. |
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we have taken the initiative on the discussions by
proposing concrete solutions in the interest of staff and the organisation;
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we have also helped a number of our members who have
had difficulties with the administration. We have provided advice, defended
them and actively sought solutions; |
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we have also informally discussed with F4E management
concerns that have been raised by staff on an individual or collective level –
our idea has always been to stay pragmatic and constructive, and instead of
sterile conflicts, to seek solutions and a common way forward. |
In U4U, we are proud that:
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we have become a driving force for the social
dialogue and for change; |
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we have the capacity to take action both at the local
level (here in Barcelona) and at the European level, by bringing together our
force and experience in the EU institutions and agencies. Two weeks ago, we
had a general assembly of our members and all interested staff across the
agencies and we have adopted a number of demands that we have now went to the
President of the Commission; |
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we are proud that our members have increased
substantially in these 18 months |
Let me finish by thanking our F4E members, but also all the F4E colleagues,
for their support. We promise to remain by their side and to continue our work
for the development of F4E.
The local F4e-U4U Team that you probably know, Paul Wouters, Marlene
Flageollet, Chiara Cavalieri and Gerard Gomez is always available for any
clarification or support you may need.
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Qu’il est loin le temps où nous, les nouveaux
représentants de U4U au sein de F4E, nous demandions si nous allions
atteindre les 15 membres requis par l’accord-cadre signé quelques semaines
auparavant entre les syndicats et notre Directeur !
Depuis l’entrée en vigueur de cet accord le 1er octobre
2019, le quorum requis a non seulement été largement dépassé, mais surtout
cinq réunions techniques ou dans le cadre du dialogue social ont eu lieu
avec les représentants de l’Administration. Ces échanges sont arrivés à
point nommé : de nombreux sujets d’importance pour l’avenir de
l’organisation et de ses membres étaient et, pour certains le sont toujours,
sur la table.
S’il est désormais acquis que la création de postes à
durée indéterminée constitue un élément essentiel de la politique
contractuelle, de nombreuses inconnues subsistent quant au contenu définitif
d’autres documents stratégiques en cours d’élaboration par l’Administration.
Le Plan de recrutement et de mobilité, l’usage du personnel externe,
l’inventaire des postes de travail et de leurs fonctions, autant de sujets
auxquels U4U entend activement contribuer. Ces questions sont d’autant plus
importantes que de nombreux collègues partiront à la retraite d’ici moins de
10 ans et que certaines missions de F4E devraient être remplies d’ici 7 ans.
U4U entend bien participer à une réflexion plus vaste sur l’avenir du
personnel de F4E.
Au-delà du Dialogue social, U4U Barcelone a été active en
accompagnant plusieurs cas individuels, en organisant une conférence sur les
pensions ou en alertant les DG ENER et HR sur l’augmentation du personnel
externe.
Comme à Bruxelles, la pandémie nous oblige désormais à
repenser nos modes de travail, un nouveau sujet qui s’ajoutera bientôt à
l’agenda des prochaines réunions du Dialogue social.
Nous comptons bien faire en sorte que 2021 soit encore
plus riche que 2020.
30/11/2020 |
U4U at Fusion for Energy (F4E): one year already!
How long ago we, the new U4U representatives in F4E, were
asking whether we would reach the 15 members required by the framework
agreement signed a few weeks earlier between the unions and our Director!
Since the entry into force of this agreement on 1 October
2019, the required quorum has not only been greatly exceeded, but more
importantly five technical or social dialogue meetings have been held with
the representatives of the Administration. These exchanges have come at the
right time: many subjects of importance for the future of the organisation
and its members were, and for some still are, on the table.
While it is now accepted that the creation of open-ended
positions is an essential part of the contract agents policy, there are
still many unknowns regarding the final content of other strategic documents
being drawn up by the Administration. The Recruitment and Mobility Plan, the
use of external staff, the inventory of posts and their functions, are all
subjects to which U4U intends to actively contribute. These issues are all
the more important as many colleagues will be retiring in less than 10 years
time and some F4E assignments are expected to be completed within 7 years.
U4U intends to participate in a wider reflection on the future of F4E staff.
Beyond the Social Dialogue, U4U Barcelona has been active
in accompanying several individual cases, organising a conference on
pensions or alerting DG ENER and DG HR about the increase in external staff.
As in Brussels, the pandemic is now forcing us to rethink
the way we work, a new topic that will soon be added to the agenda of the
next Social Dialogue meetings.
We intend to ensure that 2021 will be even richer than
2020. |
U4U : présence et dialogue social à l’agence
Fusion for Energy (F4E)
Implanté récemment à Barcelone au sein de Fusion for Energy, U4U obtient des
premiers résultats positifs lors de la tenue du dialogue social.
F4E est formellement un Joint Undertaking (JU) au sens du TFUE. Lors de la
création de l’organisation internationale scientifique ITER, dont le but unique
est de créer un démonstrateur dans le domaine de la fusion nucléaire, le Conseil
a négocié avec ses partenaires internationaux (USA, Japon, Corée, Russie, Inde,
etc.) l’établissement du réacteur à Cadarache, en France. Toutefois, il a été
convenu que la partie Euratom (marchés, budget etc.) serait gérée par un JU basé
en Espagne, à Barcelone.
Cet organe a connu une gestion assez inégale. Le personnel a demandé aux
syndicats de soutenir l’action du Comité du personnel qui a dû gérer des
situations compliquées. Après Cologne, Alicante et La Haye, U4U a donc créé une
section locale à F4E, à la demande du personnel.
En parallèle, notre organisation a tenu plusieurs assemblées générales avec
le second syndicat présent à F4E – l’Union Syndicale - qui ont permis de
conclure un accord cadre avec la direction actuelle, avec le soutien actif du
Directeur général de la DG ENER (lien avec la photo sur le site). Cet accord a
été conclu il y a un peu plus d’un an. Il est entré en vigueur à l’automne 2020.
Depuis lors, un dialogue social s’est mis en place, avec les deux syndicats
représentatifs (U4U et EPSU).
Le dialogue social a démarré et semble prendre sa vitesse de croisière. Il
vise à défendre une fonction publique de carrière face à la tentation d’un
système de « posting » importé des organisations internationales comme ITER.
Après avoir établi l’agenda des thèmes à aborder dans le cadre du dialogue
social, U4U, en bonne collaboration avec l’Union syndicale, a négocié, avec
succès, pour commencer, la politique contractuelle de F4E, dont le but est
d’avoir des agents à durée indéterminée (AT, AC). La prochaine discussion
portera sur l’insuffisance professionnelle.
En parallèle, U4U suit les cas individuels en relations avec sa section
locale, bien implantée désormais, et fortement mobilisée pour aider les
collègues.
26/06/2020
Letter on
Staffing levels and
external resources for Fusion for Energy July 2020
Answer by Mr
Juul Jørgensen to letter on staffing levels and external resources for F4E.
31/07/2020
Etat du dialogue social à F4E
Au 12/02/2020
| Chers collègues,
U4U et l’US souhaitent vous informer de l’état du dialogue social à F4E,
suite à la signature d’un accord cadre, signé cet été. Celui-ci constitue le
cadre légal de ce dialogue social, en harmonie avec les activités du Comité
du personnel.
Depuis l’été, nous avons tenu deux réunions avec l’administration afin de
déterminer les sujets prioritaires du dialogue social;
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Le premier concerne l’Insuffisance
professionnelle : nous avons tenu une discussion pour déterminer comment
la décision de la Commission doit s’appliquer aux fonctionnaires de F4E.
Nous pensons qu’elle doit s’appliquer également aux agents temporaires et
contractuels à durée indéterminée, afin de protéger leurs droits, en cas
de difficulté. En effet la procédure prévoit des mesures de remédiation
favorables au personnel.
Si pour les fonctionnaires les propositions de l’administration donne
satisfaction, en revanche pour les AT et les AC, nous sommes en attente de
sa position finale.
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Sur le Brexit, U4U et US soutiennent complètement
l’approche européenne de F4E de garder tous les collègues ayant la
nationalité britannique. Cette position favorise la loyauté du personnel
pour les institutions, puisque ce qui compte est l’appartenance à la
fonction publique européenne.
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Un troisième sujet abordé concerne la politique
contractuelle de l’agence ainsi que la labellisation des postes par
rapport aux fonctions, ce qui risque de remettre en cause la fonction
publique de carrière. Cette question touche également à la politique des
carrières de l’Agence et les postes au sein de l’agence. La discussion se
poursuit sur ces aspects lors de nos prochaines rencontres.
U4U - US |
Dear colleagues,
U4U and EPSU-Fusion would like to update you on the status of Social
Dialogue at F4E, following the signature of a framework agreement last
summer. This agreement constitutes the legal framework for the social
dialogue, in harmony with the activities of the Staff Committee.
We have held two meetings with the administration to determine the
priority topics for social dialogue.
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The first concerns Professional Incompetency: we
held a discussion to determine how the Commission’s decision should apply
to F4E officials. We believe that it should also apply to temporary and
contractual F4E staff at least for the staff with an indefinite contract,
in order to protect their rights, in the event of difficulty. Indeed, this
procedure also provides for remedial measures in favour of staff.
If for the officials the proposals of the administration give
satisfaction, on the other hand for the temporary and contractual agents,
we are awaiting its final position.
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On Brexit, U4U and EPSU-Fusion fully support the
European approach of F4E to retain all colleagues with British nationality.
This position recognises and promotes staff loyalty to the institutions.
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A third subject addressed concerns the Job
Landscape, which risks undermining the career of a public servant. U4U and
EPSU-Fusion indicated their reservation and feel that the proposed scheme
would introduce limitations on career progression that are contradictory
to the Staff Regulations.
We remain at your disposal,
U4U and EPSU-Fusion |
Request for a social dialogue on planned Staff
reduction
(extract of a letter sent to the Director F4E on 12/11/2019)
U4U would like to start without any delay the Social Dialogue on the “Long
Term Human Resources Plan”, given below statement that will be presented at AMC:
“Over the 2019-2027 period it is estimated that there will be a 20% reduction in
the overall human resources used by F4E to implement its mandate.”
U4U is concerned about the statement and the heavy implications it may have
on the staff. We are very surprised that the Unions have not yet been consulted
on such an important issue for the organization, only a “technical” meeting has
been proposed by the administration without a specific date.
U4U believes that in the interest of the organisation and all of its F4E
Staff the Social Dialogue needs to be opened prior of presenting the “Long Term
Human Resources Plan” to the Governing Board.
Long Term Human
Resources Plan of F4E
"Over the 2019-2027 period it is estimated that there will be a 20% reduction
in the overall human resources used by F4E to implement its mandate."
U4U Members - Themes for Social Dialogue and Meeting
Dear U4U members, dear colleagues,
After more than two years of discussions with the management of F4E, meetings
with staff, we have finally signed – together with our colleagues from USF, a
framework agreement governing social dialogue in F4E.
The agreement intends to take the interest of staff into account and the
success of its implementation will depend in our active involvement to define
the themes of this dialogue and have fruitful discussions.
Before starting the discussions with the management of F4E,
we would like to receive your input on the themes that you see as a priority
for discussion.
We also intend to have a meeting with all our members in Barcelona in
September.
We count on all of you to support us in our effort to improve the social
dialogue in F4E.
Georges Vlandas
U4U President
10/07/2019
Letter sent to Mr Schwemmer on 10/07/2019
Dear Mr. Schwemmer,
First of all, we would like to thank you and your services for
the good collaboration and the signature of the framework agreement between F4E
and the Trade Unions to improve the social dialogue in the Joint Undertaking.
We are confident that we can contribute in improving the dialogue with staff and
therefore the overall working environment in the organization.
We are looking forward to starting the discussions with F4E and we are
consulting with our members in order to define a first series of themes to
launch the first deliberations when the agreement comes into effect on 1 October
2019.
In the meantime, we would like to draw your attention to the exercise on the
Job Landscape and Job Profiles which is currently taking place in a very
intensive manner in F4E. Several of our members have reported that the final
goal and objectives of the exercise still remain unclear and many managers and
staff fail to see the benefits it would bring. In addition, it was also reported
that the external consultants who have been entrusted with most of the
development work have publicly stated in internal meetings that the work must
absolutely finish and the decisions must be taken before the framework agreement
with the trade unions comes into force on 1 October. This generates further
suspicion and agitation with F4E staff on the nature and objectives of the
exercise.
We would therefore like to formally ask you to discuss the Job Landscape and Job
profile exercise with the trade unions before the final decisions are taken. We
would be available already in September for informal discussions should you
consider this necessary.
With my best regards,
Georges Vlandas
Président
Accord cadre F4E/Syndicats
Nous avons négocié avec la Direction de l'Entreprise Commune un
accord-cadre pour un dialogue social structuré. Cet accord va permettre une
meilleure et plus efficace représentation des intérêts du personnel en
établissant les règles du dialogue social. Cette étape franchie, U4U va
s'attacher à faire remonter les problèmes et les attentes du personnel afin d'y
apporter des solutions négociées dans un esprit de bonne collaboration.
Accord-cadre entre
l'agence F4E et les organisations représentant le personnel (27/05/2019)
Vidéo :
Signature de l'accord-cadre F4E (fusion for energy) en vue d'améliorer le
dialogue social par Mr P. Schwemmer (directeur de l'agence), Mr G. Vlandas
(président du syndicat U4U) et de Mr B. Macklin (président de l'Union syndicale
de F4E) en présence de Mr D. Ristori (directeur général de la DG ENER) et de Mr
I. Iacono (président du Comité Central du Personnel et vice-président du
syndicat Union syndicale).
Lettre de M. G. Vlandas du 29/05/2019
Chers collègues,
Au terme de plus de deux ans de discussions avec la direction de F4E, de
réunions avec le personnel, nous sommes parvenus avec l’USF, à signer un accord
cadre régissant les règles du dialogue social dans votre agence. Cet accord est
soumis à une clause de révision annuelle en vue d’éventuellement l’améliorer.
La mise en œuvre de cet accord représente un pari pour mieux prendre en compte
l’intérêt du personnel et mieux percevoir les contraintes de l’agence. Le succès
de cette mise en œuvre dépendra en partie de la capacité de chacun de ses
signataires à jouer le jeu du dialogue social au bénéfice de tous.
Le plus dur commence maintenant. Pour la rentrée nous devrons déterminer les
thèmes de ce dialogue, le calendrier de nos discussions et poser les bases de la
confiance réciproque nécessaire à la réussite de cet accord. Pour ce faire, nous
comptons nous appuyer sur une démarche unitaire avec nos partenaires de l’USF.
Notre réussite dépendra aussi de notre représentativité qui sera forte si elle
est appuyée par un soutien du personnel, notamment à nos deux syndicats. A
chaque étape du dialogue avec la direction de l’agence, nous comptons élaborer
nos revendications avec la participation du personnel, comme nous comptons
soumettre les résultats de celui-ci à son appréciation.
Le texte de l’accord
et la vidéo qui
décrit les intentions de chacun sont à votre disposition.
Je vous remercie aussi de la confiance que vous avez montré à notre égard et
aussi du soutien actif déployé pour rendre perceptible par tous la présence des
organisations syndicales au sein de F4E.
Pour finir, je voudrais remercier particulièrement Dominique Ristori, directeur
général à la DG énergie, qui a contribué grandement à l’établissement du climat
de confiance nécessaire à l’aboutissement de cet accord.
Bien à vous
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