Is the Commission discriminating its employees in the cost of meals?

A Brussels based union questions the different prices operated in the canteens: there is even a 60% gap

The European Commission has decided to split its catering services between three different firms. From 9 January, the canteens will be operated by three different providers: Ciano, Eurest and Unijolly.

Even though European officers earn a lot, as is known, they are even more careful in spending their money: a Brussels based union has created a detailed chart of the prices applied by the three caterers for the same product.

For the typical meal, the union highlights, it is possible to pay 60 percent more at Unijolly, compared to Ciano’s prices. The union questions whether the difference in prices means a discrimination of the personnel working in different places, or it reflects a difference in the food quality. “Plus”, the union mentioned above, has also asked for the reintroduction of price reduction for the lowest salaries.

Lastly, please note that at the Ispra Site of the JRC (Joint Research Centre) the canteen services are managed autonomously: since the beginning of this “self-management”, there have been savings amounting to “€ 600,000 a year,” says Plus.