howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
courtesy of the telegraph
under proposals unveiled by the European Commission Eurocrats will also face later retirement, increases to their reduced tax rates and the scrapping of a secretly calculated Brussels index that delivers automatic above inflation pay rises year on year.
The limited changes, which will save only £900 million compared to more sweeping reforms that reduced costs by £7.2 billion in 2004, aim to appease national governments who are furious at an EU demand for a seven to 10 per cent spending increase from 2014 to 2020.
Eight governments, including Britain, Germany and France, had written to the commission to demand that Brussels officials should feel the painful cuts felt by other public sector workers following national austerity measures that have yet to be reflected at the EU level.
"The current challenge to consolidate public finances is forcing every public administration across Europe to improve efficiency and to adjust to the changing economic and social context. And this cannot fail to have an impact on the EU institutions and their staff," admitted Maros Sefcovic, the commission vice-president.
However, the staffing reforms are unlikely to satisfy the national demand for "very substantial reductions in spending, including salaries, pensions and benefits" for the EU's 55,000 officials, who are mainly based in Brussels and Luxembourg.
There will be no change to legally binding and automatic pay increases even through the notorious "Brussels index" will be replaced with normal measures of inflation.
While cuts to jobs and an increase in retirement age, from 60 to 65, will save money on pensions, the bill for retired officials will still become larger than the salary cost of active staff over the next 30 years.
There will also be no change to a perk that allows top EU officials, who have chosen to work in Brussels, to receive up to £30,000 a year at the top EU pay grade of £185,000, in a 16 per cent top up allowances paid to compensate them for living abroad for the whole of their working life.
Nevertheless commission officials have suggested that trade opposition to change could lead to industrial action and Eurocrat walk outs later this year.
"There is a big chance that unions will call for a strike," an EU official said.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Is it just me, or did I read there that the EU officials will go on strike if they don't get their pay-rise?
I hope they do go on strike, and their offices close down.
I suggest we all donate a pound each, all who would like to see them on strike, to maintain them while they stay on strike. Indefinitely.
It would be the end of the EU!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i wonder how many of us in the european union will suffer any effects of their proposed strikes?
i do not know of any that teach, nurse, drive buses or trains or even empty our bins.
in fact the plus side is that while they are not in the office they cannot write out anymore directives.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
are you sure howard,never under estimate them.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
brian
can you think of anything that they do that impacts on us positively on a daily basis?
if they came over here and cleaned up our river, alleyways and streets then i would support any strike action from them.
nicking of rogue cyclists would be a bonus.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
that would be usefull howard,but couldnt see them getting there hands dirty.
yes they left our cuecumbers bent.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Brian, these people know that when the EU collapses, their job and pension are gone: they'll be on JSA and a basic state pension.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
alex,not if the uk cracks first.the uk is heading the same way as greese.