Editorial
On 22nd and 23rd June, the Director-General will present to CERN Finance Committee and Council a proposal to finalize the package of measures which aim to restore the full funding of the CERN Pension Fund. The pension conditions for future staff will be dramatically worsened and the Organization’s contribution will be reduced by a quarter, thus drastically cutting the Fund’s revenue. For future beneficiaries - today’s active staff, tomorrow’s retirees - this will be a double penalty: a 10% increase in their contributions from January 2011, and a loss in purchasing power - up to one month’s pension lost each year - once they retire.
But worst of all, for the first time in 15 years, true concertation has been rendered impossible by a Diktat by CERN Council. The voice of the staff has been practically ignored. This is unacceptable and jeopardizes two fundamental principles of social dialogue: the mechanism of concertation and a search for consensus.
CERN is and must remain a centre of excellence, not only in the scientific and technical domain, but also in the social domain. To do this, CERN must be able to attract, retain, and motivate staff of the highest competence. The Organization must respect its staff and guarantee true concertation. The future of CERN is at stake.
Take part in the referendum. Refuse the Diktat by the Member States on the subject of pensions and tell us if you will be at our side on Wednesday 22nd June, the day of the Finance Committee meeting, to say “NO to the Diktat!” and “YES to real concertation!”.
