EPO staff to hold two demos against ‘persistent attacks’ on staff

Certain staff members at the European Patent Office (EPO) will stage two demonstrations this week to protest against what the office’s union has called “persistent attacks” on staff representatives.

A demo is taking place today, December 1, at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague. It was due to start at 12pm local time.

A second protest will take place in Munich on Friday, December 4, outside the EPO’s Isar building at 12.30pm local time.

The Staff Union of the European Patent Office (SUEPO) said in a statement: “With these demonstrations, staff protests against the persistent attacks on its staff representatives, culminating in the suspension of and disciplinary procedures against three union officials in Munich.”

Last month, WIPR reported that certain staff members had been suspended.

Elizabeth Hardon, chair of SUEPO’s Munich branch, is thought to be among the suspended members.

An EPO spokesperson responded at the time that its employees have to comply with “a set of rules and policies which must be respected by all”.

“EPO officials (senior managers but also colleagues at working level) are increasingly subject to personal attacks and undue exposure through blogs, flyers, and calls for violence,” the spokesperson added.

In October, a demo in support of Hardon in Munich attracted around 900 people.