EU: Work at European institutions in Brussels was disrupted yesterday when thousands of civil servants took part in a one-day strike to protest against plans to cut their pensions, writes Denis Staunton from Brussels
A meeting of development ministers ended early after interpreters and other staff at the headquarters of the Council of Ministers walked out.
Officials at the European Commission reported that many activities were affected by the strike, which came a day after EU foreign ministers approved a plan to overhaul the EU officials' pensions system.
The reform would cut pensions and oblige many officials to work longer in order to receive benefits. The retirement age for all new employees would be raised from 60 to 63. Monthly salaries at the EU institutions range from about €2,000 to €21,000 and officials pay income tax at a lower rate than in any of the member-states.
The commission claims that the changes will save the EU about €1 billion a year and prevent a collapse of the pension system in years to come.
A delegation of about 150 trade unionists occupied the lobby of the European commission's headquarters, waving placards complaining that their pension rights faced serious erosion.
Donning red-and-green baseball caps, the delegation took their anger to the door of commission president, Romano Prodi.
But their real target was Neil Kinnock, the former UK Labour Party leader and current commission vice -president.
Earlier this week, he struck a deal with EU governments to restructure the pay and conditions of the officials. Many placards branded Mr Kinnock a liar and told him to "back off".
Mr Kinnock said before the strike that he was strongly opposed to it. "Strike action does not assist in the process of obtaining the best working conditions," he said.