Unione Sindacale Euratom Ispra

Commissione delle Comunità europee - Centro Comune di Ricerca

21020 Ispra (Varese) Italia- Tel. (0332) 789.443- Fax (0332) 789.604

Ispra, 13.3.98

15/98

At the suggestion of the OSP our new director-general held an informal meeting with us on 4fh March. He saw his qualifications for the job as including excellent relations with the Parliament and the Commission, and an insider’s knowledge of the JRC. He aims to implement his view that the JRC is a unique resource, neglected by the EC in the past, with the primary role of supporting the formulation and implementation of Commission policies. Both our research activities and our organisation must be determined by that role. We need to come much closer to the DGs, and become involved in policy formulation, not just in implementation. Competition is healthy, but money-making is not our goal. The D-G intends to change the post of programmes director into something more like a "chief scientist". He also mentioned the need to measure our outputs. On the management side, our administration must become leaner, and our recruitment procedures faster, while staying within the letter of the statute. Our new D-G has also set himself a timetable: guidelines established by May, implementation by the summer.

US welcomed the general tenor of these proposals, but stressed that the staff needed to be consulted at all stages. The low involvement of our scientific staff in the formulation of the JRC part of the Framework programme might have contributed to its relative lack of success in the Council, and this must not be repeated in the formulation of the specific programmes and work-schedules. The OSP were willing to cooperate in lobbying for improved funding during the conciliation procedure. As for a single role for the JRC as advisor to the Commission, US feels that the interests of Europe as whole should also be a factor.

The D-G was rather negative about our fusion work, feeling that it was not sufficiently supported by the fusion community. More generally, large facilities should be continued and new ones built only if they had reasonable prospects i.e. they were sustainable. Other matters raised were the appointment of a head of administration (long requested by US), the need for more co-ordination with DG IX, consequences of the JRC’s legal personality (still under intense discussion), the employment of pensioners and courtiers at Brussels HQ, and another US theme, moving the Research DG or other parts of the Commission to the Ispra site. The D-G took no definite position on any of them.

In conclusion, the appointment of the new D-G puts a welcome end to the interregnum, and Mr. Allgeier has clear and on the whole positive ideas for change. US will do its part to ensure that any changes are for the benefit of the JRC and of its staff.