Latest EPO strike set to start
An intermittent five-week strike at the European Patent Office (EPO) will start today (November 20) as planned, but staff have stressed they are open to negotiations.
In a letter sent to the EPO’s principle director of human resources, seen by WIPR, the Central Staff Committee say they are willing to start discussions at the earliest possible time.
Today’s strike will also include a march to “show solidarity” for a suspended French worker, who formerly sat on the staff disputes committee. The strike will last for one day, but will increase by one day each week for five weeks.
The march will begin at the EPO headquarters in Munich and end at the office of the consulate general for France.
This is the third time staff have taken strike action.
Workers are understood to be concerned about changes at the office, which include an alleged abolition of new staff investigation guidelines. They are calling for more freedom of communication for the unions and other staff members.
There are also concerns about changes to strike regulations, and alterations to starting salaries and career prospects.
A spokesman for the EPO confirmed the strike was due to start.
