EPO staff to consider ‘month long’ strike
Staff at the European Patent Office (EPO) could strike for as long as one month following a vote among staff tomorrow (November 11), WIPR understands.
Certain staff members are set to vote on how long the latest strike should be, with options ranging from a one-day strike and possible demonstration to a month-long walk-out.
In a letter sent to staff, the office’s staff union (SUEPO) has called on workers to vote on a number of options for a strike, which would be the third to hit the office since March this year.
According to sources, staff will be given the option to vote on four potential options during an assembly meeting due to be held at the office’s Munich headquarters.
Among the options are a month-long strike on the grounds that EPO president Benoît Battistelli would “not listen to gentle warnings” and an “incremental” strike taking place over the course of five weeks and increasing by one day each week.
A one-day strike, with the added possibility of a demonstration, and a split one-day strike and then a three-day strike are also among the proposals.
Last month, WIPR reported that staff had voted in favour of another strike. 52% of staff voted on the proposals, with 85% voting in favour of another walkout.
Workers are understood to be concerned about changes at the office, including an alleged abolition of new staff investigation guidelines, and are calling for more freedom of communication for unions and other staff members.
There are also concerns surrounding changes to strike regulations, and alterations to starting salaries and career prospects.
In the letter, seen by WIPR, SUEPO said it had “tried to negotiate in good faith” to avoid the need for a strike and that it had also tried to propose mediation.
“We are again back to strike as a means of last resort to show staff discontent and bring Mr Battistelli back to the negotiation table.”
The EPO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Also today (November 10), WIPR reported that a planned solidarity meeting to show support for a recently suspended staff member had apparently been denied permission to take place.
