Action of June 18: well done!
On Thursday morning more than 500 of you answered the call of the Staff Council and the CERN-ESO Pensioners’ Association (GAC-EPA) by participating in the gathering in the hall of the Main Building to say "Respect the rules", "Respect commitments" and "Work in the interest of the Organization"
Our action was a genuine success and we thank those who have contributed.
While the participants in the hall on the ground floor of the Main building received the latest news regarding the CERN Pension Fund some forty representatives of the Staff Association and GAC-EPA occupied the Conference room on the 6th floor where the CERN Council would meet from 9:30 a.m.
The Director-General was informed about the occupation of the room around 8:40 a.m. After discussion between the Staff Association and the Director-General, it was agreed that the room would be released before the start of the meeting at 9:30 a.m. if the Staff Association were allowed to read a statement before the Council in session and that the declaration would be included in the minutes of the Council meeting. The Director-General transmitted this request to the President of the Council, Prof. A. Zalewska, who gave her agreement. Thus, the representatives of the Staff Association and GAC-EPA released the room around 9:20 a.m., while remaining in the corridor so that the delegates of the Member States could see them. Then, as agreed, after the opening of the session of the Council, Gertjan Bossen, President of GAC-EPA, and Michel Goossens, President of the Staff Association, were invited to read their statement to the Council (see the text). After reading our statement the President of Council proposed to the delegates to discuss its contents in point 18 of the agenda of the Council: “CERN Pension Fund”.
In solidarity with our action many ESO staff members gathered in a room of their organization in Munich, where they were able to follow the events here live.
Our action today was necessary, but will probably not be sufficient. To win we need the continued support of all CERN staff members. Without that support, we can achieve nothing, and even risk losing a lot. Therefore, for future actions, we are counting on you!
