Resolution

Märpel learned that the Munich Staff passed a resolution last tuesday. Märpel herself could not be there, as the safety measures are so tight that even the smallest cat could not enter the building, but she could get a copy of the resolution which was unanimously voted by the staff:

RESOLUTION

SUEPO members in Munich, gathered in a General Assembly, note that:

- The President, Mr Campinos has decided to face Elizabeth Hardon, former Chairman of SUEPO Munich and Chair of the Local Staff Committee Munich, with a new disciplinary committee instigated by the same old Administration which is still in place, and apparently with the same old charges.

- The Tribunal has already castigated the Administration's behaviour in the cases of Ion Brumme (Judgment 4043) and Malika Weaver (Judgment 4042).

- The President did not take into account the instructions contained in the Resolution CA/26/16 dated 16 March 2016 to inform the Administrative Council of any new disciplinary proceedings concerning a staff representative and to consider the possibility of involvement of an external reviewer for arbitration or mediation.

Further noting that:

- Laurent Prunier, as Secretary of SUEPO The Hague and member of the Central Staff Committee, was dismissed for extraneous motives, similarly to Elizabeth, Malika and Ion.

- Staff representatives face difficulties accommodating their workload in the Appeals Committee with the workload in their other duties, mostly patent examination. Judgments 3971 and 4050 made public these difficulties, resulting in disciplinary measures against Aurélien Pétiaud and Michael Lund, which the Tribunal considered "within the range of acceptability" or "not to be disproportionate". It is now absolutely clear that those disciplinary measures were politically motivated as part of an intimidation campaign against staff representatives.

Expresses its disappointment about the continuation of the attacks initiated by former President, Mr Battistelli.

Expresses its deep concern that the President's decision will prevent the restoration of social dialogue and further damage the reputation of the Office.

Urges the President:

- to drop the charges raised against Elizabeth Hardon,

- to reinstate Laurent Prunier in full,

- to provide reparation of the torts inflicted on Aurélien Pétiaud and Michael Lund

Munich, Tuesday 20 November