The EC Collective Agreement Update: What You Need to Know

The EC collective agreement has been a point of contention for workers and employers alike, as negotiations have been ongoing for some time. However, a new update has been released, providing some clarity on the latest developments.

What is the EC collective agreement?

The EC collective agreement is an agreement between the European Commission and its staff that outlines the terms and conditions of employment. It covers everything from salaries and benefits to working conditions and career development opportunities.

What’s new in the update?

The latest update to the EC collective agreement includes several important changes. First, there will be a general salary increase of 2.4% for all staff, effective from 1 January 2021. This increase is slightly lower than the initial proposal of 2.7%, but still represents a significant boost for workers.

In addition, there will be changes to the way salaries are calculated. Rather than being based on the cost of living in Brussels, salaries will now be based on the cost of living in the country where the staff member is based. This is a major change that will benefit workers who are based in countries with a lower cost of living.

Finally, there will be changes to the rules around career development and promotions. There will be more opportunities for staff to be promoted to higher grades, and the promotion process will be more transparent and merit-based.

What does this mean for workers?

Overall, the changes to the EC collective agreement are positive news for workers. The salary increase and changes to the cost of living calculations will provide a welcome boost to staff who have been struggling with the high living costs in Brussels. The changes to career development and promotions will also provide more opportunities for staff to advance in their careers.

However, there are still some concerns among workers about the details of the agreement. For example, some staff members are worried that the changes to the cost of living calculations will result in lower salaries for those based in Brussels. There are also concerns about the changes to the promotion process, and whether it will be truly merit-based.

What’s next?

The next step will be for the European Parliament to approve the agreement, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks. Once approved, the changes to the EC collective agreement will come into effect from 1 January 2021.

Overall, the update to the EC collective agreement is a positive step for workers, providing more opportunities for career development and a welcome boost to salaries. However, there are still some concerns that need to be addressed before the agreement is finalized.