EU staff strike over planned wages and pension cuts

EU Council staff and European Commission officials went on strike on Thursday in protest at proposed salary and pension cuts. They grouped outside the commission buildings in Brussels and Luxembourg. Christian Kurrer European Commission Trade Union: “We’re not asking for more money. We understand that savings have to be made in these difficult times and that our work has to be more efficient and cost less. But our salaries were cut by up to 30% in 2004 and in many fields, the Commission struggles to find and retain well-qualified employees.” But many EU member states including France, Germany and the UK want the cuts insisting that in an age of austerity measures, EU staff should share the burden as well. EURONEWS: “EU officials plan to hold another strike on November 16th. But maybe they’ll do it around 22nd – 23rd November during the EU summit, when they will discuss budget issues.”