RULES OF RENOUVEAU ET DEMOCRATIE FEDERALE
Article 1 – Designation
RENOUVEAU ET DEMOCRATIE FEDERALE designated below RDF is made up of all the R&D constituent trade unions including those in the European Agencies and other international organisations with a European focus) which subscribe to these rules.
Article 2 – Headquarters
RDF has its headquarters in Brussels, initially foreseen in the offices of R&D Commission.
The headquarters may be changed by a decision of the Board.
Article 3 – Principles
RDF’s independence is guaranteed and is expressed by the exercise, in the widest sense, by freedom of expression, by democracy and by the active participation of its constituents in RDF ‘s activities.
The aims of RDF are, outside of any religious or philosophical ideology, and being independent of national governments, administrations or political parties, to establish the wider principles for its constituents’ actions and demands in order better to defend the independence, competence and permanence of the European Civil Service.
The respect for a wide range of outlooks and opinions, and the guarantee that its analyses, its deliberations and decisions are undertaken internally without external influence, allow RDF to be free and to be master of its own expression and initiatives.
Each constituent shall bear its own expenses for participation in the activities of RDF.
Article 4 – Objectives
RDF’s actions are based on the principles of solidarity with and delegation to its constituents, while ensuring permanent collaboration between them.
Whilst undertaking to take into account the general direction and common fundamental principles of RDF, each constituent keeps its independence, remains responsible for the definition of its objectives, policies, its internal administrative management and the management of its resources.
If it provides for better administrative and financial management, a constituent may decide to send its contributions to another constituent of RDF, in the same way as the arrangement between CDR-CESE and R&D Commission Brussels.
Each constituent may reach local agreements with other trade union organisations on condition that such agreements do not conflict with RDF’s general policy directions and that the RDF Board is informed in advance.
RDF’s goal is to ensure a unity of action among its constituents, and their collaboration and mutual assistance with a view particularly to:
– establish common principles for actions and demands, to check they are applied and to maintain continuous communication between each constituent on the one hand, and between each constituent and its members on the other;
– coordinate the actions of committee members on the lists presented by one or more constituents for the statutory bodies, particularly at an inter-institutional level;
– represent the constituents collectively in cases where a central representation appears more suitable to defend staff; for example, modification of staff conditions, concerning problems to do with remuneration, at the RCAM, etc.
In respect of negotiations concerning modifications to Civil Servants’ conditions and those that apply to other staff, RDF ensures that each constituent is kept closely informed of all the debates and deliberations. In particular, all decisions concerning positions to be defended in this context will be taken within the framework of RDF.
With the approval of Congress, RDF may create collaborative structures with other organisations, may set up forms of collaboration with national or international trades unions, and may join or participate in, in whatever manner, to an international trades union organisation.
Article 5 – Decision-making Bodies
The decision-making bodies of RDF are as follows:
1 – Congress
2 – The Board
Article 6 – Congress
Congress defines the general lines for action and the policy directions for action by RDF as well as the financial perspectives which allow RDF to fulfil its mandates.
Congress is called at least once every two years by the Board, which sets the place, date and agenda for it. It may also be called to an extraordinary session, for particular issues, by the Board.
Written notices of a Congress meeting are sent to the constituents, at least ten working days before Congress convenes. They are accompanied by the agenda, and as far as possible by documents to be discussed.
The delegates to Congress are the members of Executive Committees, Control Committees, Appeal Committees or similar bodies from each constituent. The Board may invite observers.
Congress approves its decisions by consensus.
Article 7 – The Board
The Board:
a) coordinates the execution of decisions which flow from the lines of direction approved by Congress;
b) ensures communication and daily coordination between the different constituents of RDF;
c) makes sure that the rules in this document are obeyed;
d) takes budgetary decisions in the light of financial perspectives given by Congress.
The Board will make all technical means available to facilitate the participation of all constituents.
Within the Board, each constituent is represented by at least two members appointed by each Executive Committee.
The Board meets at least once every two months.
An extraordinary meeting of the Board may be called at any moment at the request of a constituent. The meeting must be called at least 5 working days before it is held.
The Board is assisted by a permanent secretariat which is responsible for calling meetings and to guarantee the daily exchange ofinformation from and to the constituents.
Each constituent contributes to the running costs of the secretariat on the basis of the size of its membership.
The Board designates from among its members a coordinator who is responsible for ensuring a continual follow-up of RDF’s activities.
The Board adopts its decisions by consensus.
Article 8 – Joining RDF
Constituents wishing to join RDF must present a request accompanied by their Rules to the Board in order to ensure compatibility between their Rules and those of RDF.
The Board’s decision must be approved by Congress.
Article 9 – Leaving RDF
A constituent may leave RDF by means of a 3-months’ notice sent to all the other constituents.
In the 5 working days following the start of the leaving procedure, the Board calls a meeting of conciliation to try to analyse the problems which prompted the decision to leave and to reestablish agreement between the constituents.
After leaving, the constituent may no longer use either the name or the logo of RDF.
Article 10 – Amending the Rules
A constituent may propose an amendment to the exisiting rules.
Article 11 – Expulsion
A constituent may be expelled from RDF by the unanimous agreement of the other constituents, particularly when the actions it undertakes are incompatible with the principles of independence, solidarity andÆDFs common fundamental actions and demands.
The expulsion procedure is started by registered letter with proof of delivery addressed to the President of the constituent of RDF who is the subject of the expulsion procedure, from the Presidents of all the other constituents.
Within 5 working days of the start of the expulsion procedure, the Board calls a meeting of conciliation to try to analyse the problems which prompted the decision to invoke the expulsion procedure and to re-establish agreement between the constituents. After having been expelled, the constituent may no longer use either the name or the logo of RDF.
Article 12 – Dissolution
RDF may be dissolved following approval at Congress by two-thirds of its members.
Brussels, 19th May 2010
Annexe I
List of founder constituents :
R&D Commission Brussels
R&D Council Brussels
R&D CESE/CDR
R&D Ispra
R&D Seville
R&D Alicante
R&D Geel
R&D France
R&D HU-EAS