Management must restore trust and openly engage in Social Dialogue to discuss restructuring proposals for EU Delegations
Subject: Request for urgent talks to address restructuring plans and re-establish trust within EU Delegations
EU Delegations are undeniably our most valuable strategic network.
U4U and USHU urgently call on the EEAS and the Commission to ensure that EU interests are not eroded by short-sighted, human resource policies that aim to address budget deficits without adequately considering the lasting, harmful effects on EU Delegations.
In an increasingly volatile environment, EU Delegations are best placed to support the EU in its efforts to consolidate itself as a geo-political leader. EU Delegations must arguably be strengthened, not weakened.
Management proposals to downsize delegations, centralise certain tasks and regionalise others, shows little insight into how EU Delegations truly operate and fail to recognise the added value of EU staff on the ground.
Recent workload assessments in EU Delegations demonstrated that the current network of 146 EU Delegations is fit for purpose yet it is now clear that a significant restructuring is foreseen that will have powerful implications for staff.
We all recognise that EU Delegations play a crucial role in the world as they represent the European Union's interests, values, and policies across the globe. Since the establishment of the European External Action Service over a decade ago, they have gone from strength to strength as they assume an increasing number of responsibilities and duties.
Without a fully resourced EU Delegation network, the European Union’s global interests together with the implementation of its foreign policy, security and development programmes, will be severely challenged.
Staff in EU Delegations have embraced change time and time again. They have shown themselves to be resilient and adaptable. Elected staff representatives and staff associations deserve to be fully consulted over major human resources decisions that are in the pipeline in order to accompany staff and ensure that any change process is handled transparently and effectively.
U4U and USHU call on the EEAS and the Commission to engage in social dialogue urgently and ensure a transparent process.
Georges Vlandas Helen Conefrey
U4U USHU
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