Papel de los representantes sindicales
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What is a Union representative?
The ILO Staff Union rules define a Union representative as a member who is “elected by the officials (who are Staff Union members) of their respective branches, field offices or other units” […] who “shall communicate the views and concerns of the staff of their constituency, especially Staff Union members, to the Staff Union Committee and to the General Meeting, so that these bodies will take the appropriate steps.”
As stated above, the Union representative is a key link between the Staff Union Committee and the Staff Union members throughout the Office. The SUC relies on the Union representatives to help it to:
Inform staff of key issues and developments;
Help staff access the assistance they may need to resolve problems, either through the SU Committee, facilitators, or with the Mediator’s office, as appropriate;
Mobilize staff to get involved in meetings, events, or Union activities;
Invite non-members to join, and invite members to get more involved;
Provide ongoing feedback to the Committee on issues of importance to their work unit.
Union representatives are elected by Staff Union members in their constituency. The SUC would like to see at least one representative for every 25 colleagues. However, the reality is somewhat different. In field offices, there is no lack of candidates wishing to represent their colleagues, but at headquarters, we need many more to reach out to all the members on a daily basis – how about you!
Role and responsibilities of a Union representative
Through their direct links with staff in their department, the Union representatives are the bond which holds together the Staff Union in its everyday life. They communicate the views and concerns of the staff in their constituencies to the Staff Union Committee (SUC) and communicate decisions and information from the SUC to their constituencies.
They represent the interests of Staff Union members in their constituency – subject to the individual rights of members – at Staff Union meetings. They also actively participate in recruiting new Staff Union members and can intervene in the handling of disputes and other procedures in their constituencies.
What does it take to be a Union representative?
An effective Union representative is one who leads by example, and whose professional and personal behaviour is both ethical and beyond reproach. While a steward may have first come in contact with the Staff Union because s/he was facing a problem at the office and the Staff Union was able to provide assistance, it is important to note that a representative does not use his or her position in the Staff Union to further a personal agenda.
Rather a representative acts out of a desire to improve his or her workplace in the interests of all. A representative’s job is far from a full-time engagement. Representatives volunteer what time they can to work on issues of interest for them and their work units. Monthly information-sharing meetings also take place to ensure ongoing communications between the representatives, and between the representatives and the SU Committee.
How are the representatives supported by the Staff Union?
The Staff Union is committed to training our Union representatives’ Network, both on important technical subjects (understanding the staff regulations, entitlements, etc.) and on strengthening the skills and abilities necessary to effectively carry out the functions of a representative. The Committee places a great deal of importance on the role that our representatives play in the workplace, and as such we are open to providing whatever support we can.
The Staff Union is ready to field questions, provide advice and feedback, and to get directly involved when the situation warrants such an intervention. The Staff Union also facilitates communication, sharing of information, and common learning among the representatives themselves through the Union representatives’ Network.
Remember – a representative is never alone!
What issues should I bring to my representative?
The Union representative is a resource for any issue, personal or professional, that you may wish to raise. We spend the majority of our adult lives at work, and your Union representative is here to help you ensure that your time is spent doing a job that is both fulfilling and rewarding. Of course, the representative will make the necessary links with, and act with the guidance of, the Committee. If you have ideas for improving life and work in your department, or are looking for ways to get involved with the Staff Union, your reprensetative is an excellent resource person.
How do the representatives carry out their functions during working time?
The release of Union representatives to carry out their functions is governed by the staff regulations, the Recognition and Procedural agreement between the ILO and the Staff Union, and Circular No. 448 (Rev. 1) which states: “Union representatives both at headquarters and in field offices shall be entitled to such release time as may be reasonable and appropriate in order to enable them to carry out their functions promptly and efficiently within their normal working hours.”
While this release time should not impair the operation of the department, management must provide an adequate amount of release time for a representative to carry out his/her functions.