Staff union backs Pappas in legal battle

Date: 19/04/01

By Simon Taylor

Union Syndicale, the largest EU staff union, has strongly rejected suggestions that it is trying to stir up trouble by backing a legal challenge to the appointment of the secretary-general of the Committee of the Regions, Vincenzo Falcone.

Alan Hick, president of the union's Brussels branch, confirmed that the union is covering the costs of the court case brought by an unsuccessful Greek candidate, Spyridon de Athanassios Pappas.

Pappas, a former head of both the consumer policy and communication directorates in the European Commission, claims he was unfairly treated during the selection process last year because a dossier circulated to its executive board gave incomplete details about his previous work experience.

Hick said the decision to support the challenge by Pappas was taken with the full backing of Union Syndicale's members.

"We are backing the case 100% by unanimous decision of the executive committee because it's a point of principle and general interest."

He said his association was "outraged" over the apparent breach in procedures.

Union Syndicale has previously organised strikes against the Committee of the Regions because of its alleged failure to respect recruitment and promotion procedures. But Hick denied that his union's stance was designed to undermine an EU institution.

"Union Syndicale has members in the Committee. We are not attacking the institution, we're attacking the appointing authority," he explained.

The Court of First Instance is expected to give an initial ruling in the next few weeks after written arguments from both sides in the case.

Pappas, who also alleges that Falcone had an administrative role in the selection process, wants his appointment annulled.

Insiders at the Committee of the Regions, who last week questioned the role of the union in the case, say the action will be "fully defended".

Union Syndicale, the largest EU staff union, has strongly rejected suggestions that it is trying to stir up trouble by backing a legal challenge to the appointment of the secretary-general of the Committee of the Regions, Vincenzo Falcone.