The Secretary-General has approved the Staff-Management Committee (SMC) report and recommendations following the conclusion of the twelfth meeting of the SMC, held in Nicosia, Cyprus from 16 to 21 April 2024.
In addition to the standing topics on "Staff Safety and Security", "Delegation of Authority", and "Gender Parity", many important topics were discussed, including roster memberships, flexible working arrangements, special measures for equitable geographic distribution, continuing appointments, special post allowance, appendix D, and step determination.
Our Union submitted papers on the following topics: approaches to abrasive managerial behaviours in the workplace; flexible working arrangements and the use of discretion; learning and training - efficiency, fairness, and value; fair and equitable reporting lines and correct organigrams; the flag code and international civil service; and legal support for the staff side of the SMC.
Staff unions were disappointed that the paper “Conditions of work for translators in DGACM” was not accepted by the SMC President, even though the issue remains ongoing and involves many duty stations.
Staff were also disappointed that Management disagreed with the proposal to amend the Flag Code to lower the UN flag at half-mast when a staff member is killed in the line of duty. However, the SMC agreed that alternate ways to honour colleagues who die in the line of duty would be explored and further discussed at a future session of the SMC.
More information about your Union's role in the Secretariat is available here.
