JRC strategy 2030
A recent open letter of some trade unions was highly critical
of the process led by our Director General towards the development of a JRC
strategy for 2030.
R&D
distanced itself from the tone and content of that letter, which we think
has served only to stir up unnecessary fears amongst staff, without being
constructive in any way.
The first two points highlighted in
the open letter relate to Administrative Services and Site Management, with no
mention of science, research or policy which is the core business of the JRC in
its mission. One can draw one's own conclusions about their priorities.
The timing of the letter was also
inappropriate, considering that the undersigning parties were fully aware that
a document explaining the strategy was to be distributed later the same day to
all trade unions in preparation for a meeting between them and the DG.
The meeting took place this morning
22nd February. The draft JRC strategy document itself will be soon
made available by our DG and we anticipate now some thoughts.
In the draft strategy document, there is much that is a continuation of previous ambitions, much common sense, and much that is reassuring for the future. In primis, is the declaration that the JRC remains as a Commission DG and will cement its central role in the decision making process of all policy DGs.
Indeed, most of the principal points of the Strategy are in
line with the
R&D electoral programme for the Local Staff Committee elections in 2015.
This programme met the approval of a significant fraction of the staff
resulting in R&D Ispra being confirmed as the principle trade union at the
JRC's largest site (also the third largest site of the Commission).
Among the others, we find in the document:- support to scientific excellence
- introduction of a mobility market for staff
- revision of administrative procedures and process streamlining
- focus on core scientific business, with a rebalance of staff resources allocated to scientific activities vs support ones
- a global vision of infrastructure management to ensure most efficient use of resources to support the core business
R&D's concern
However, R&D naturally also has
some concerns about several parts of the document and requested further explanations
and reassurances at today’s meeting with the DG. We had sent a
list of questions in advance, and raised other points as the
discussion developed. The main points queried related to: cancellation of
repetitive work, staff and budget allocation, ratio of permanent and
flexible positions, external access to laboratories, duration of projects. The
DG has offered to create a forum on Connected where our questions – together
with questions from staff – will be answered.
The
outcome of today's meeting and R&D's position
The JRC has been subject to many reorganizations over the
years, and staff is naturally sceptical when a new one is around the corner.
The JRC has also been subject to many existential crises in the past and must
clearly set, explain and execute the essential and valuable service it can
provide for the implementation of the best EU policies. We believe that one
must adapt to survive (c.f. Darwin), rather than following the creationist
approach supporting that everything must remain as it is. The future of the JRC
can only be guaranteed by being truly useful and through using its resources in
the most efficient manner. The meeting has been very productive and we see in
the new strategy a lot of pros and opportunities. A correct implementation of
the general principles declared in the draft document will be crucial for a
positive outcome and a better future for the JRC – we promise that we'll follow
very carefully all the process with the constructive spirit that has always
been our trademark.
G. Selvagio - R&D Ispra
P. Di Pietrogiacomo - R&D Seville
P. Di Pietrogiacomo - R&D Seville
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(
Atom
)
No comments :
Post a Comment