Text-study

I. Learn the following words

Job security – гарантия занятости в конкретной организации;

European Commission – Европейская комиссия, исполнительный орган;

Union = trade union – профсоюз, профсоюзная организация;

Conciliation meeting– "примирительная" встреча, встреча для согласования позиций;

Economic and monetary union, Emu – экономический и валютный союз;

Nordic states – скандинавские страны.

II. Answer the following questions

1. What authorities of the European Commission do you know?

2. How are the members of the commission appointed?

3. What do you know about the reforms of the European Commission?

4. What pressure are the EU institutions facing at the moment?

5. What do many economists think of the European Commission?

6. How could management efficiency be improved?

III. Complete the sentences with suitable words from the box

workforce; transpar­ency; accountability; to advocate reforms; recruitment; fixed-term contract; penalty; inevitable pressure

1. He suggested efficiency could be improved by the introduction of both renewable, … for senior employees and a system of rewards and … .

2. The document, entitled “Tomorrow’s Commission", questioned existing practices and warned of … for efficiency gains.

3. Six of the 10 unions representing Commission employees can protest at plans for the … .

4. EU institutions are facing increasing pressure, mainly from the Nordic member states, to improve efficiency and adopt greater … and … .

5. The tension increased earlier this month when the unions called for a strike shortly after the distribution of an internal document … .

6. Many economists think that the Commission has a heavy mana­gerial hierarchy, … that sometimes depends too much on political considerations and less than perfect management of finance and staff.

IV. Fill in the blanks with articles if needed

... six of ... 10 unions representing ... Commission employees are pro­testing at ... plans to end ...job security for ... 17,000 workforce.

... tension increased earlier this month when ... unions called for ... strike shortly after ... distribution of ... internal document advocating ...reform. ... document, entitled "Tomorrow's Commission", questioned ... existing practices and warned of... inevitable pressures for... efficiency gains.

Predicting ... end to steadily increasing Union budgets, ... secre­tary general called for clearer priorities and ... more effective management.

V. Fill in the blanks with prepositions if needed

The European Commission staff are set to go ... strike next week to protest ... plans to end job security after union representatives and Commission of­ficials failed to reach an agreement... a "conciliation" meeting.

The unions feel the proposals threaten job security ... European civil ser­vants, who are all practically guaranteed employment ... life and substantial benefits.

VI. Explain the italicized grammar constructions in the following sentences

The 24-hour strike, scheduled for the next week, could paralyse the European Union's executive body at an embarrassing time, just two days before the summit which will decide the founder members of economic and monetary union.

He suggested efficiency could be improved by the introduction of both renewable, fixed-term contracts for senior employees and a "system of re­wards and penalties".

The Finnish commissioner failed to reach an agreement with the unions that would suspend the strike.