Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Corte di appello di Firenze(Italy) lodged on 11 June 2007 — Nancy Delay v Università degli Studi di Firenze, Istituto nazionale della previdenza sociale (INPS), Italian Republic

(Case C-276/07)

(2007/C 211/27)

Language of the case: Italian

Referring court

Corte di appello di Firenze, Sezione delle controversie del lavoro

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Nancy Delay

Defendants: Università degli Studi di Firenze, Istituto nazionale della previdenza sociale (INPS), Italian Republic

Question referred

On a proper construction of Article 39 of the founding Treaty and secondary acts (in particular, the interpretations given in Cases C-212/99 and C-119/04), are the rules valid which are applied to so-called ‘exchange assistants’, who were previously bound by fixed-term contracts (under Law No 62/1967), and who, when such contracts are replaced by contracts of indefinite duration, are not guaranteed the protection of all their rights from the date of their original recruitment, in respect not only of salary increases but also of seniority and the payment by the employer of social security contributions?