CCISUA — the Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System — is a federation composed of UN system staff unions and associations committed to an atmosphere of constructive co-operation to provide equitable and effective representation of staff at all levels. CCISUA primarily represents their interests in inter-agency bodies that make decisions and recommendations on conditions of service.
Objectives
- To promote the common interests of international
civil servants of all categories whose
staff unions/associations are members of
CCISUA; - To provide a means for staff representative
bodies with common concerns to consult
with one another both formally and informally
with a view to reaching consensus on issues affecting conditions of service and staff welfare; - To permit those staff unions, associations, and other staff representative bodies of the system to address advisory and decision-making bodies with a united voice and in particular to participate actively in the work of ICSC, HR Network, HLCM, CEB, the Pension Board, the Administrative Tribunals and the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly.
- To assist each other in finding solutions to common problems and in monitoring the implementation of decisions affecting the staff both at Headquarters duty stations and offices away from headquarters.
- To co-operate with other staff groupings with a view to formally achieve common positions on matters affecting staff welfare;
- To adhere to the spirit of solidarity and support for each member whenever needed.
What is a staff union?
A union is a group of workers who form an organization to:
- Gain more respect on the job,
- Gain better wages and benefits or maintain them.
- Establish more flexible policies to accommodate work and family needs,
- Counterbalance the unchecked authority of managers, and
- Speak out to improve the quality of working conditions and lives.
Under Chapter VIII of the United
Nations Staff Regulations, (8.1 and
8.2) staff representative bodies are
authorized to initiate proposals on
issues concerning staff welfare and
working conditions, general conditions
of life and other personnel
policies. Staff-management consultative
mechanisms are also established
at the local and system-wide
Secretariat level.
Managers are not allowed to discriminate
against or fire workers for
choosing to be active in the union.
However, there are infractions of
this rule and staff representatives do
experience subtle or overt harassment
and intimidation for their
activities, especially when taking
time off to attend meetings or when
supporting unpopular positions on
serious issues. Representatives are
working towards strengthening the
penalties for managers who resort
to such tactics.
A wider range of people than
before is becoming active in unions
today. Staff members at all levels,
both men and women, are supporting
the work of the staff union.
Unfortunately, this is still not
enough and more effort should be
made by staff to confirm their support
of their elected representatives
in paying their monthly dues and
thus present a front of solidarity to
the management.
Staff representatives are leading
the campaign to establish and
improve policies that address both the work
and life needs of staff members. With the
administration, for example, staff representatives
played an integral role in the establishment
of current policies on flexible working
hours, family leave and paternity leave. Your
representatives have also been able to partially
stop the erosion of wages and benefits.
They are continuing to do so and your support
is primordial.
Who are the members of CCISUA?
UN Staff Council (New York)
UNOG Staff Coordinating Council (Geneva)
Field Staff Union (Jerusalem)
ESCWA Staff Council (Beirut)
UNOV Staff Council (Vienna)
ECLAC Staff Council (Santiago)
UNON Staff Council (Nairobi)
ESCAP Staff Council (Bangkok)
ECA Staff Council (Addis)
ICTY Staff Council (The Hague)
UNICTR Staff Council (Arusha)
UNU Staff Council (Tokyo)
UNHCR Staff Council (Geneva)
UNICEF Global Staff Association (New York)
International Staff Association of
UNESCO (Paris)
International Labour Office
Staff Union (Geneva)
