REPLY RECEIVED BY MR QUEST, DG OF THE JRC on 13/12/2022 - FOLLOWING THE NOTE SENT BY R&D DATED 14/12/2022 

Ispra,14th October 2022 

NOTE TO THE ATTENTION OF
MR S. QUEST - DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE JRC

Subject: Our Concerns Regarding Possible Staff Cuts and Future of the Ispra Site 

Dear Mr Quest,

R&D Ispra would like to draw your attention to some concerns regarding the JRC’s budgetary situation. We are aware of the current difficult situation of the overall Commission, and particularly the JRC’s, budget caused by a conjunction of the following factors:

•    Impact on EU budget due to the annual update of the remuneration 2022;
•    Impact on budget of high energy costs;
•    EURATOM cuts;
•    Missing participation of the UK and Switzerland in Horizon Europe.

Additionally, within the JRC, we have clearly noticed that the staff policy implemented in recent years has already  lead to a low level of replacement of retired staff (especially AST scientific staff) and the ratio between permanent and non-permanent staff has worsened significantly.

The acute ongoing crisis is therefore exacerbating an already difficult situation. We are disappointed that ambitious scenarios1 for improving the energy efficiency of the Ispra site have only been partially implemented in recent years (e.g. substantial increase of solar PV, installation of heat pumps and smart meters, building renovation and insulation, and demolition of obsolete buildings, etc.). These measures would have greatly reduced the impact of the excessive energy costs we are now facing.

We are concerned that the fact that the JRC budget includes its infrastructure and operating costs, unlike other DGs, may penalise the JRC’s staff and its research objectives and also makes the Ispra site less attractive.

The above-mentioned budgetary pressures are now leading to additional real concerns about further pressures on permanent staffing levels, the possible non-extension of CA contracts and an uncertain situation concerning external staff (crucial for specific scientific projects due to the reductions of statutory staff). This would lead to a loss of talent in many scientific fields, which could in turn negatively affect many scientific projects. We are also concerned about reductions in investments for scientific and social infrastructures exacerbated by the reduction in Ispra infrastructure and maintenance staff.
Our main aspiration is the preservation of the integrity of the Ispra site, which is threatened by the above mentioned risks. R&D Ispra would therefore like to contribute with an open and transparent discussion on the future of the JRC Ispra site. We take the opportunity to list a number of measures that we believe essential to be considered immediately:

•    Ensure that the JRC defends its correct functioning as an essential service of the Commission by negotiating all additional budgetary measures that can avoid it is treated unfavourably vis-à-vis other DGs. This is consistent with, but additional to, the recent promise from Commissioner Hahn’s Head of Cabinet that the Commission intends to ask the European Parliament and the Council for additional human resources in order to ensure the existing budget is more productive and we can successfully face the current challenges.
•    Agreeing energy saving measures for all the JRC sites, additionally taking advantage of the recent Commission Decision on Working Time and Hybrid Working fully involving the staff representatives;  
•    Investment in additional infrastructure energy efficiency measures within the limit of the budget available;  
•    Moving from the JRC budget line all the infrastructure investments related to the well-being (e.g. new canteen/new garderie, projects for which we understand are currently blocked due to budgetary reasons);
•    Prioritisation of the JRC scientific projects in order to ensure full compliance with EU policy, and in particular the European Green Deal as a new growth strategy;
•    Regular targeted open scientific competitions to ensure the JRC has the talents to meet its future scientific needs.
•    We believe this would be the right time to focus on creating a dedicated Office for infrastructure management (OII – Office Infrastructure Ispra or OIJ – Office Infrastructure JRC sites), in this way the infrastructure/operational costs would not continue to be a burden on the JRC budget, and at same time will give the possibility to stabilise concerned Contract Agents.   

Returning to the immediate energy crisis, while all staff must make their own efforts in its own energy saving behaviour, and we offer our help in promoting awareness, fundamental structural changes must be put in place. We hope that appropriate action can avoid the need for any cuts in staff or investments, but where any savings do become necessary, we request that the Ispra site does not carry an unfair burden.

We trust that you will act in every possible way to defend the JRC Ispra site as well as its staff who play a fundamental role in supporting Commission policy making as well as the international scientific community. We look forward to the possibility of fruitful discussions about all these critical issues.

Yours Sincerely, 

Gianfranco Selvagio                        Salvatore Tirendi 

       President, R&D Ispra                  Vice-President, R&D Ispra

Cc. Bernard MAGENHANN, Sabine HENZLER, Philippe DUPONTEIL

 1 Maschio, I., Bavetta, M. and Paci, D., JRC Ispra site energy transition: Energy transition scenarios to 2030 for JRC Ispra site, European Commission,
Ispra, 2018, JRC113368

Ref. Ares(2022)7118351 – 14/10/2022

Le Renard Déchaîné special " Court of Auditors EU Institutions and COVID-19 Special Report" - The Court of Auditors confirms the analyses of R&D and acknowledges the exceptional efforts made by the staff!

Court of Auditors

EU Institutions and COVID-19

Special Report

 In its special report on the institutions' response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Court of Auditors confirms the analyses of R&D and acknowledges the exceptional efforts made by the staff!

The Commission's staff deserves all the institution's trust and has proven that a modern and flexible man¬agement model is the best response to the challenges!

 ……READ MORE

TRAININGS FOR EPSO COMPETITIONS 

ASSESSMENT CENTRE

 ONLINE TRAINING COURSES in ENGLISH

Topics : Case Study / Situational Competency-Based Interview / General Competency-Based Interview

Dear Colleagues,

For the preparation of the second step of EPSO open competitions, ASSESSMENT CENTRE, R&D Ispra in collaboration with R&D Brussels and our team of highly qualified trainers will offer you preparatory sessions in English.

The training sessions will be held ONLINE and cover the specificities of that phase of the competitions:

Case Study / Situational Competency-Based Interview /  General Competency-Based Interview

TRAINING SESSIONS PROGRAMME:

TO REGISTER…

We invite you to register for the training sessions that interest you by sending an email to:

JRC-RD-ISPRA@ec.europa.eu

Places are limited ! The deadline for the registration is the 16^th of September 2022 at 13:00.

Our trainings are FREE for R&D members, members of their family and those who wish to join us.

If you are not yet a member and wish to benefit from our trainings and other services, we will be glad to welcome you.

For this purpose, please send us the completed membership form (JOIN OUR UNION, BECOME A MEMBER!) and a proof of payment of the membership fee to : JRC-RD-ISPRA@ec.europa.eu

Upon receipt of these documents, we will be glad to register you for the courses.

For those who are already our members please mention your status as already being a member of our Union when submitting your request for the training sessions.

All registered participants will receive a confirmation!

TRAINING FOR EPSO COMPETITIONS  _  ASSESSMENT CENTRE ONLINE TRAINING COURSE in ENGLISH Topic : Situational Competency-Based Interview   Dear R&D members, For the preparation of the second step of EPSO open competitions, ASSESSMENT CENTRE, R&D Ispra in collaboration with its team of highly qualified trainers will offer you preparatory sessions in English. This training is tailored to the candidates that will need to undertake the Situational Competency-Based Interview as part of their EPSO Assessment Centre : AST level. The training session will be held ONLINE and will be repeated twice. You can chose among the two following dates:  TRAINING SESSIONS TO REGISTER… We invite you to register for the date that suits you by sending an email to: JRC-RD-ISPRA@ec.europa.eu   To get the maximum benefit from this type of training there will be very limited places available and priority will be given to our current members! The deadline for the registration is :  Friday 9 September 2022 at 13:00.   Our trainings are FREE for R&D members, members of their family and those who wish to join us. If you are not yet a member and wish to benefit from our trainings and other services, we will be glad to welcome you. For this purpose, please send us the completed membership form (JOIN OUR UNION, BECOME A MEMBER!) and a proof of payment of the membership fee to : JRC-RD-ISPRA@ec.europa.eu Upon receipt of these documents, we will be glad to register you for the courses. For those who are already our members please mention your status as already being a member of our Union when submitting your request for the training sessions. All registered participants will receive a confirmation! We thank you for your confidence!

R&D Ispra _Trade Union

All R&D members can take advantage of a special discount on purchases of MAORI PET FOOD products. 

Please read more details below:

- 10% discount from the online list price:  https://maoripet.it/ 

- the discount is applicable only to dry dog/cat food 

- non-cumulative quantity discount

- discount only for purchases at the Ispra shop (see details below)

To get the discount, show your JRC badge in the shop and inform that you are a member of R&D union.

For further information you can contact the R&D Ispra Secretariat by email : JRC-RD ISPRA@ec.europa.eu 

or by phone : Ext 9645 from Monday to Friday  9:00-13:00.

---

MAORIPET FOOD

Via E. Fermi 425
21027, Ispra (VA) - DOVE SIAMO

Info e Customer service: 0332782472
Cell: 348 912 0566

Consulenze sui nostri prodotti e sul benessere animale cell. : 348 389 2900
Scrivici: info@maoripet.it
Per ordini e pagamenti: shop@maoripet.it

Da lunedì al venerdì
dalle 8:30 alle 13:00
dalle 15:00 alle 18:00

Sabato e domenica
CHIUSO

 

 

 OUR VISION FOR AN ISPRA MULTI-DG SITE

Following the recent visit from the Commissioner Hahn, the three Trade Unions representing the majority of the staff sent a note with our proposals for the future of the JRC Ispra site.

We believe that in addition to the important work of the JRC, much appreciated by the Commissioner, our site could become fitter and stronger by hosting staff of a range of policy DGs and building closer interactions between policy and science.

We have reiterated to the Commissioner this vision for the future of the Ispra site, also to offer better and more stable employment conditions to Contractual Agents.

We would like to share with you this vision and we would appreciate to receive your comments.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ispra, 4^th  July 2022

NOTE TO THE ATTENTION OF MR J. HAHN

VICE-PRESIDENT BUDGET & HUMAN RESOURCES

Our vision for an Ispra multi-DG site

Dear Mr Hahn,

We would like to thank you for your recent visit to the JRC Ispra site and your recognition of our important work has been very much appreciated by the staff.

The undersigned Trade Unions representing the majority of the staff wish to share with you some proposals for the future of our site.

The Ispra site provides a welcoming and productive working environment……. read more

You can find below the presentation slides and documents relating to the conference held on Friday, 24 June on the taxation of international officials organised by R&D Brussels :

https://renouveau-democratie.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2019-DL-201-2011-7.pdf

https://renouveau-democratie.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Art-12-DL-78-2009-1-1.pdf

https://renouveau-democratie.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Protocollo-7-Privilegi-e-immunità-UE-IT.pdf

Opening and introductory greetings/remarks / Apertura e saluti introduttivi

Cristiano Sebastiani

President of R&D / Presidente di R&D

Gen. (c.a.) Alessandro Butticé,

President of the Brussels-European Union Section  of ANFI*

Presidente della Sezione di Bruxelles-Unione Europea dell’ANFI

***

Gen. (r) Prof. Avv. Pierpaolo Rossi,

Vice-President of the Brussels-European Union Section ANFI and

Counsellor at the Legal Service of the European Commission

Vicepresidente della Sezione di Bruxelles-Unione Europea ANFI e

Consigliere presso il Servizio Giuridico della Commissione Europea

Ten. (r) Prof. Avv. Francesco Fratini,
Brussels-European Union ANFI Section, tax lawyer.

Sezione di Bruxelles-Unione Europea ANFI, tributarista.

*ANFI (Associazione Nazionale Finanzieri d’Italia – National Association of Italian Financial Police)

***************************************

1. Criteri per la definizione del domicilio fiscale ai fini delle imposte sui redditi e patrimoniali, e delle imposte su successioni e donazioni / Criteria for defining tax residence for the purposes of income and estate tax and succession and donations tax

2. L’Incrocio tra Protocollo privilegi e immunità dell’Unione diritto interno e trattati per evitare le doppie imposizioni / The Conflict between the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the Union domestic law and treaties for the avoidance of double taxation

3. Aspetti dichiarativi per Imposte sui redditi; redditi finanziari; redditi immobiliari; redditi da lavoro e da pensione), profili applicativi, fattispecie ricorrenti e chiarimenti di prassi / Declaratory aspects for income tax; financial income; property income; employment and pension income), application profiles, recurring cases and clarifications of practice

4. Aspetti dichiarativi per imposte patrimoniali (IVAFE e IVIE), profili applicativi, fattispecie ricorren­ti e chiarimenti di prassi / Declaratory aspects for wealth taxes (IVAFE and IVIE), application profi­les, recurring cases and clarifications of practice

5. Dichiarazioni integrative e ravvedimento operoso / Complementary declarations and tax amne­sty

6. Attività di verifica da parte delle autorità fiscali: controlli incrociati su banche dati, lettere di com­pliance ed eventuale ravvedimento / Verification activities by tax authorities: cross-checks on data­bases, compliance letters and possible amends 

7. La tassazione delle prime case in Italia dei residenti all’estero di origine italiana / Taxation of first residences in Italy of Italian-born foreign residents

Modera / Moderator : Gen. (c.a.) Alessandro Butticé