Some background

I have spoken to many of you casually and formally about the office move and think I can represent the general feeling in the office. To this end, I have been in discussions with Thomas and Petra twice a week for the last half year championing your viewpoints. Including the issues which have been raised and the general concerns amongst staff. Your views have been and are being forwarded to management. THR and Petra understand our point of view; that DTU is not what the DMSC staff were promised when taking their positions, DTU is a long commute for most of us and DTU is a long way from the ESS site.

These concerns have been explicitly written down in a report to Lund management where THR has vigorously expressed the DMSC staff’s perspective to both Helmut and Giovana. They are both aware of the staff’s position and the fact that people will leave the DMSC.

However, at this point, it is clear that the Danish ministry has told ESS Lund that our offices should be on an educational campus where strong links with science can be formed. This has ruled out our proposed traditional working spaces. Currently, DTU has been proactive in putting forward a proposal whereas KU has declined as they do not have space for us or will to house us. Previously ITU campus had been considered, but their leasing terms (sub-leased from ITU, where the building is owned by DR) and the proposed office spaces were not suitable for our needs and were rejected.

The DMSC management has been given until the 20th to put together a proposal that could satisfy the Danish ministry. Currently, we are trying to put together a proposal which would be in the city. The cynical amongst us might say that this alternative proposal is a stitch-up by the ESS Lund management whereby they can say there was an alternative.

Going forward

Currently, I am liaising with THR and Petra to form an acceptable counter-proposal and have made a viable location the central point. The objections of the staff are repeatedly stated verbally and in documentation to both Helmut and Giovana. It has been recognized by management that the staff is the main risk associated with the move.

I would like more input from staff for an open letter from the union on behalf of the staff addressed to the ESS council, where our objections are explicitly stated, and our vision for the future. The decision ultimately rests with the council and they should be fully informed of our position before making a decision, rather than relying on what Helmut has told them. Please reach out by email/slack or in person for feedback or ideas.

Since everyone on the danish side knows the challenges ahead and has informed the decision-makers of the risks and objections, it is my feeling that we are being given the prospect of an alternative when the decision has already been made. I will point out that this is an opinion, not a fact. Hence, we should pivot to the aftermath of a decision, focusing on mitigation and the best possible compensation. I believe this is what THR meant when he said putting together a ‘complete package’ concerning the office move.