Open Letter to the EPO Administrative Council: A Call to Restore Meaningful Social Dialogue
For many years, staff representatives and trade unions at the European Patent Office (EPO) have raised concerns about governance, working conditions, and the erosion of genuine social dialogue within the Organisation. What began as calls for constructive engagement has too often developed into a prolonged struggle over the role of staff representation, consultation, and collective rights.
Despite repeated commitments to rebuild trust and strengthen dialogue between management and staff, tensions have continued to grow. Recent developments, including unprecedented levels of industrial action, demonstrate the depth of concern among EPO employees and the urgent need for a different approach.
In this context, the Union Syndicale Fédérale (USF) has addressed an open letter to Josef Kratochvíl, Chair of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation, and the Heads of Delegation of the Administrative Council. The letter expresses serious concerns about the continued deterioration of social dialogue at the EPO and calls on the Administrative Council to take these concerns into account when considering the Organisation’s future leadership. The letter argues that rebuilding trust, respect, and meaningful engagement with staff representatives is essential for the long-term health and effectiveness of the EPO.
We invite readers to consult the full letter here and to explore our previous coverage ( USF Denounces Mounting Pressures on EPO Workforce ; EPO On Strike ! ; Job Insecurity at the European Patent Office (EPO) ) documenting the long-standing challenges facing social dialogue at the EPO.
