EPO staff vote in favour of third strike
Staff at the European Patent Office (EPO) have agreed to stage another strike following a vote among staff members yesterday (October 23), it has been claimed.
According to sources, 52% of staff voted on the proposed strike with 85% voting in favour of a walkout.
It is the third time staff members have held strike action since March this year.
The EPO did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the claims.
Earlier this month, WIPR reported that EPO President Benoît Battistelli had said the strike action was “without merit” but that staff would still be able to vote on the issue.
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.
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