Standing Concertation Committee - Ordinary meeting on 2 March 2005
Original: English
This meeting was devoted to the main topics summarised below.
1. MAPS - Preparation for the 2005 exercise
The SCC agreed the text of the ‘2005 Guidelines for Advancement and Promotion', subject to some amendments. (See Official News Article below) As regards the numerical budgetary guidelines for this year's exercise, the Chairman announced that the Management agreed to grant 30 additional steps as a transitional measure, which had also been the case for the 2003 and 2004 exercises.
2. Annual carry-over of leave (Article R II 4.07 of the Staff Regulations)
The SCC examined the Management's proposal to increase the possibility of carry-over of annual leave (currently 30 days) from one leave year to the next, up to the end of the 2007 / 2008 leave year. After some discussion, it was agreed to limit this supplementary carry-over of leave to 10 days* and to exceptional cases only, essentially concerning crucial LHC activities. Such cases would be subject to approval by the hierarchy, including the Department Head, and to the consent of the individual, in the summer period before the end of the leave year concerned. Close monitoring of implementation will be ensured. HR is to examine the related implementation procedure, which will be published in due course.
* NB: Cannot be cumulative with the provisions of the Saved Leave Scheme (SLS)
3. Progress Report on the review of Administrative Circular no.14 - Accidents and illnesses suffered by members of the personnel
Last year, the SCC gave a mandate for a fundamental review of this Circular to better adapt it to provisions in the Host States, improve coverage of short-term staff and simplify the texts. The subject is complex and will probably entail modifications to the Staff Rules and Regulations, the Rules and Regulations of the Pension Fund and the Rules of the CERN Health Insurance Scheme, as well the examination of a possible complementary insurance contract. The SCC took note of this progress report and agreed that a full report will be made to the Committee by end April this year, including proposed changes to the statutory provisions involved, which would have to be submitted to the competent authorities for approval before the Administrative Circular could enter into force.
The Staff Association stated that it supported the main lines adopted for the review of this Circular and requested to take this opportunity to examine globally the issue of loss of salary insurance (‘assurance perte de gains') in the event of accident or illness.
The Chairman thanked the study team for its work, stating that the necessary time would have to be taken to examine this complex issue thoroughly.
4. Restaurants Supervisory Committee - Report 2004
The SCC discussed this report and took note that the Management will announce the nomination of a contract manager shortly. The SCC agreed that action will be taken to clarify responsibilities for the management of restaurant contracts and the monitoring of implementation. It was also agreed to install a limited and well-ventilated smokers' zone in Restaurant no.1. Whereas improvements to installations required for reasons of health and hygiene are essential, the Management indicated that other improvements or extensions of restaurant facilities would be examined according to available financial resources.
The next ordinary meeting of the SCC is to be held on 11 March 2004.
