02.27.16
Battistelli-Led EPO “Led to Tensions and Even to Suicides Among Employees, Say the Unions”
Summary: Another new article about the European Patent Office (EPO), which is almost certainly about to undergo a major overhaul
THE EPO has been receiving unwanted attention (e.g. media inquiries) from central European media because Battistelli, the EPO’s President, is almost certainly on his way out. The Dutch media has done a good job, just as it did a year ago when the EPO refused to accept a court’s ruling.
“The Dutch media has done a good job, just as it did a year ago when the EPO refused to accept a court’s ruling.”Petra Kramer has just given us the next translation in line. Having published her previous translations from Dutch [1, 2], we now turn to the next one. It’s from NRC.
In the text below, highlighted in yellow are some bits which we think merit more attention, as some of them are quite unique (compared to other press articles).
Patent Office wants to investigate leadership style president
The authoritarian management style of the President, according to the unions led to tensions and even some suicides among employees.
The ongoing crisis at the European Patent Office (EPO) seems to be turning against its criticized President, the Frenchman Benoît Battistelli. The highest body of the Agency, the Management Board representing the 38 Member States, wants an external investigation into the punitive measures Battistelli (65) has taken against union members.
It is a surprising twist in the battle between the agency, which grants European patents and, among others is based in Rijswijk, and the unions. The authoritarian management style of Battistelli and the heavy workload have led to tensions and even to suicides among employees, say the unions.
Battistelli in his turn does not recognize the unions, because the agency as an international organization would not be bound by national legislation. But according to the President the unions are trying to sabotage his reforms. Some prominent trade unionists have been suspended and will possibly be fired, including the chairman of the Dutch branch, Elizabeth Hardon.
Serious concerns about performance
The disciplinary actions led to “very serious concerns” about the “proper functioning” of the agency the chairman of the management board writes, the Dane Jesper Kongstad writes in a letter. The supervisors have unfortunately not been able to hold “any meaningful dialogue” with Battistelli about these issues.
Despite protests from the President, the council wants the sanctions to be investigated and suspended. The Member States will vote next month on that proposal. The letter is notable because Battistelli was reappointed by the management board last year to remain in function until 2018.
Battistelli has invited the unions yesterday for an interview on “any topic” surrounding working conditions. The Supreme Court called the office and the unions to engage in mediation last month.
Well, judging by what we learned privately from some sources (not suitable for sharing out in the open), there is no mediation at all. It’s still nothing but hogwash; the “any topic” propaganda line (see above) comes from EPO PR; it’s a form of ‘damage control’ and the current media strategy. █
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