Q: What exactly is semi-flexible?
Q: What if extra days are added to my contract after I've bought a semi-flexible ticket?
Q: What does the provision on circular tickets in the proposed revision mean?  How much would be reimbursed?
Q: When should tickets be bought, especially if options are used?
Q: What does "recruitment at short notice" mean?
Q: Who can vote at the sector meeting on 27 May?
Q: And what is a proxy vote?
Q: What would happen if the sector voted No?

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Q: What exactly is semi-flexible?

A: Any IATA ticket which may be changed or reimbursed on payment of a penalty, irrespective of the amount of the penalty. 

Q: What if extra days are added to my contract after I've bought a semi-flexible ticket?

A: The penalty for changing your semi-flexible ticket would be reimbursed by the Institutions.

Q: What does the provision on circular tickets in the proposed revision mean?  How much would be reimbursed?

A: This is best explained by means of an example, though any other professional domicile and place of assignment may be substituted for those used.

EXAMPLE: A London (L)-based ACI has a contract to work in Brussels(B) for the Institutions and has bought a semi-flexible ticket. Having bought it, the ACI is then offered a contract in Vienna (V) starting the day after the last day in Brussels.

If re-routing is allowed, the otherwise unused return leg of the L-B-L ticket can be used towards paying for the B-V-L legs. The Institutions pay up to a maximum of the semi-flexible return ticket L-B-L.

If no re-routing is allowed, the ACI who chooses, for example, to buy a new B-V-L ticket will be asked to use the B-L leg of the first ticket for a contract at a later date. For that contract the ACI can then take a 1-way L-B ticket and travel back to L on the unused leg of the first ticket. 

If the ACI has no further contracts in B (or whatever the place of assignment is) or if the conditions for changing it would no longer/not permit its re-use the Institutions reimburse in full the L-B-L ticket. All rules would be set out in the new Payments Guide.

All of the above is based on the premise that the ACI presents evidence of the B-V-L travel (photocopies would suffice if the second client requires the originals).

There is no provision regarding circular tickets in the current Agreement, but the maximum amount reimbursed by the Institutions is the price of the return ticket (L-B-L in the example).

Q: When should tickets be bought, especially if options are used?

A: As indicated in FAQ No.1 there are no lead-times for ticket purchase.  You would of course not buy your ticket more than 60 days ahead, as your contract may still be cancelled 60 or more days ahead.  Tickets for Commission contracts could be obtained from the SCIC travel agency and would be issued pre-paid. The EP has announced (see Epiweb) that options for Strasbourg are now confirmed four weeks ahead, but, for this and other places of assignment, when to buy the ticket would be a matter for the ACI.

Q: What does "recruitment at short notice" mean?

A: It depends on the pattern in each Institution and varies from one Institution to another. See the implementing rules for art.10 for further details. The Delegation has made the point to the Institutions that they would need to have a system in place for recording when exactly a contract was finalised and for the transfer of such data to the Payments office.

Q: Who can vote at the sector meeting on 27 May?

A: All AIIC members and candidates AND all non-members who work for the EU Institutions.

Q: And what is a proxy vote?

A: If you are unable to attend the sector meeting you may delegate another person who is entitled to vote to do so also on your behalf.  You must give your proxy to this person in writing, giving your name in legible form, specifying the meeting and date, and sign it.  If you are not a member of AIIC you should also give the person a photocopy of your service badge or a photocopy of a recent contract with the Institutions. Proxies may be sent by e-mail, and provided your name and the name of the proxy holder is on the e-mail which is printed out by the proxy holder and presented at registration the signature requirement is then waived. Don't forget the photocopy of your service badge or contract if you are not a member of AIIC.

Q: What would happen if the sector voted No?

A: Despite having complied with its mandate, the Negotiating Delegation would resign, its proposal having been rebuffed by the sector.

The sector would need to elect a new negotiating delegation which would need to be approved by the AIIC Council.

Meanwhile the Institutions may well have given 12 months' notice of their intention to withdraw from the Agreement as they are entitled to do under art. 28.

The new negotiating delegation would need to seek a negotiating mandate from the sector and have it approved by the AIIC Council.

During the 12-month notice period new talks may start aimed at reaching a new agreement.

If no agreement is reached within this 12-month period, the Agreement lapses and there is no longer any agreement on financial terms and working conditions. This means, inter alia, that any payments attract national tax: EC tax can not be deducted since article 90 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) in the Staff Regulations stipulates that the remuneration conditions are set out in the Agreement, and since the Agreement no longer exists article 90 of the CEOS is merely an empty shell.