Strike and demonstrations at the European Patent Office (EPO)
Strikes at the EPO continue. On Tuesday 2 December, additionally, demonstrations will take place in The Netherlands and Germany in support of two colleagues who are facing disciplinary procedures for their work as staff representatives.
In The Netherlands EPO staff will demonstrate at 11.00h in front of the French Embassy in The Hague (Anna Paulownastraat 76, next to the Vredespaleis). From there staff will march towards the Danish Embassy (Koninginnegracht 30 in The Hague). This demonstration is meant to support their two threatened colleagues, respectively French and Danish, and to defend EPO staff's basic rights.
It is worth noting that the two organs of the European Patent Organisation, the EPO and the Administrative Council (AC), are respectively under the lead of French and Danish nationals: Mr Battistelli (EPO President) and Mr Kongstad (AC Chairman).
In Germany EPO staff will gather at 13.00h in front of the EPO Pschorrhöfe buildings in Munich to march to the local Palace of Justice (Prielmayerstra?e).
The strike and demonstrations underline staff's claims to respect of the Rule of Law, Freedom of Association and to good faith negotiation of ongoing reforms.