Our Union is a member of the Staff-Management Committee (SMC), which is the highest level deliberation and negotiation body between staff unions and associations, and management in the UN Secretariat.
The SMC identifies, examines and resolves Secretariat-wide issues relating to staff welfare, including conditions of work, general conditions of life and other human resources policies. Its 18 members interact regularly through virtual meetings and physically at least once a year for direct negotiations.
Management representatives consist of the Under-Secretary-General for Management, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management and seven members at an appropriately high level, with due regard for representation from the various duty stations.
We discuss, negotiate, and review all changes to policies that affect staff, within the limits established by the General Assembly Resolutions. Changes to policies may be suggested by both management as well as staff. Also, the UN staff unions must be consulted on any changes to the Staff Rules and Regulations.
Our Union is taking a strong and pro-active role in the SMC. The former President of our Staff Union, and since January 2023 our Vice-President, have been serving as a member of the Steering Group (the “3x3 Contact Group”) since April 2019. This Group, comprised of three representatives from management and three representatives from staff, coordinates the work of the SMC, closely together with the SMC President, Vice-President, and Secretary.
Representatives from our Union actively participate in SMC working groups. Currently they serve on the working group on staff selection and mobility, the working group on the administration of justice, the working group on staff representation facilities and resources, and the working group on GS career prospects.
The SMC XIII meeting was held in Vienna from 7 - 12 April 2025. Three critical issues dominated the agenda and led to rich and thorough discussions: (1) the UN80 Initiative, (2) Funding Crises, and (3) Implementation of the Downsizing Policy. Several days were dedicated to these topics, during which we made persistent efforts to reach multiple agreements with management to the benefit of staff. The report of that meeting was approved by the Secretary-General on 26 June 2025.
From 23 - 29 June 2025, a special SMC session was held in Pristina. It focused on UN80 Initiative, the current financial and liquidity crisis, and on possible mitigation measures to limit the impacts on staff, their livelihoods, conditions of service and wellbeing. Throughout an intense week of discussions, we made persistent efforts to reach agreements with management for the benefit of staff.
