EPO staff end strike but hint at more
An “incremental” five-week strike at the European Patent Office (EPO) will end today (December 19) but certain workers have hinted at more action next year.
Staff have been striking on various days over the last five weeks and every day this week.
During the five weeks, demonstrations were also held in support of two suspended committee members and a board of appeals member.
In a document, sent out by the EPO’s staff union SUEPO reviewing the action, it says that today “more than ever” the reputation of the EPO and its staff are in danger.
“Staff members have a duty to defend this EPO for which they work for and believe in. This [striking] was not the final act of this ‘B’ movie. 2015 will undoubtedly be an even more challenging year. SUEPO is prepared for it,” the union said.
The EPO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the EPO’s official website, the number of strikers has decreased in recent days. On Monday (December 15) 207 members of staff (2.9% of the office’s more than 6,000 workforce) took action.
But at it is highest, the number of strikers was 36%—on the first day of action, on November 20. Demonstrations for the suspended committee members were also held that day.
Additionally, in the latest meeting of the EPO’s supervisory body, the Administrative Council (AC), held from December 10 to 11, new guidelines called the new career system (NCS) were voted through.
Previously, WIPR reported that staff had called on AC members to vote against the proposals—which recommend basing salary increases and bonuses on performance instead of seniority—because they would result in a drop in patent examination quality.
However, the AC’s 38 members passed the NCS, with 2 votes against and 4 abstentions.
The EPO earlier denied the proposals would decrease the quality of examination and said they were designed to achieve “exactly the opposite”.
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