How Are Our Salary Levels Protected?

The "Method" is an agreement with the Council of Ministers on how to adjust our salaries for the cost of living in Brussels and the evolution of salaries paid by the civil services of the Member States. What matters are security, predictability, and an upward salary trend over the long-term: since 1991, our net salaries have increased by almost 50%. All is well, then? Not at all!

Salary Security Thanks to the Method

The Method replaces the Member States’ right to adjust our salaries, or not, as they see fit. By its incorporation into the Staff Regulations, they agree to accept the result of this mechanism, no matter what it is. It was Union Syndicale that, in 1972, devised the Method and reached the first agreement with Council on its adoption. In 1991, it was once again Union Syndicale that succeeded in incorporating the Method into the Staff Regulations. Union Syndicale has protected the Method since 1972 and succeeded, in 2004, in extending it until 2012. As with a number of agreements, the Method has an expiry date. In but three years it will come to an end. And that is the crux of the matter. Our “automatic” adjustments are by no means perpetual – they are only guaranteed as long as the Method is in effect.

Will the Method Survive 2012?

Unfortunately, the Method has not always had the unanimous support of all of the Trade Unions and Staff Associations (OSPs). Some have even taken legal action against it. In 2012, Union Syndicale will do everything in its power to reach a new agreement on the Method, by bringing the entire staff and all of the OSPs together.

How could we not want a Method that: - guarantees purchasing power over time; - guarantees parallelism with the salaries of our national colleagues; - helps us avoid annual salary conflicts; and - saves us from having a bad image in the eyes of European citizens?

So, Who Will Renegotiate the Method?

Negotiations on the Method will begin in 2011, first with the Commission on its proposal to Council, and then with Council with an aim to reaching an agreement. Who will have the commitment, the skills, the determination and the ability to mobilise staff if necessary? Who has the presence within the Council and the EP necessary for success? Union Syndicale – in 2012 just as it has since 1972.

Our Salary Levels

How to convince highly qualified people to leave their homeland to come and work for the Commission in Brussels?
Working for Europe is a privilege, but the Commission must offer attractive salaries.
Attractive salaries must not only be offered, they must be maintained.

Fortunately, we have the Salary Method.

Are our Salary Levels Really Protected?
- Yes, as long as the Salary Method is applied.
- No, if the Method ever ceases to exist – a danger we face in 2012...