29 October 2001
FICSA Update No. 53 2001
CSAIO Demonstrates Merits of United Staff Representation
Representatives of the staff of 24 organizations and FICSA met on 25 and 26 October 2001 for the Second Conference of Staff Associations of International Organizations (CSAIO). Eight associations were from the United Nations system, and 16 from other organizations. The Staff Association of the European Laboratory organized the Conference for Research on Particle Physics (CERN).
The Conference dealt with three subjects: career structures, internal recourse procedures, and working time.
The presentations and discussions allowed participants to share experiences and views on issues that are topical in all organizations, whether they function on their own or belong to a system of organizations - such as the United Nations common system or the Coordinated Organizations. They amply demonstrated the merits of a united staff representation, one that crosses the boundaries of the various systems of organizations. All participant associations were from organizations having their headquarters in Europe; obviously, unity must extend to all continents.
Four FICSA members contributed to the event with presentations. The FICSA Vice-President, Ms. Marielle Richon, and the General-Secretary, Mr. André J. Heitz, spoke on "The Working Hours in the United Nations System: the Case of France" and "A Second Degree of Jurisdiction?" respectively. They both highlighted the need for unity and solidarity.
Several participants expressed interest in becoming associate members of FICSA. One announced that the application for associate membership would be forthcoming.