The Staff Union Committee was formed in 1993 and represents staff of all grades and levels at the ICTY and the MICT in The Hague, Arusha and Kigali. It is a staff body composed of elected representatives which is empowered by the United Nations’ Staff Rules, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General to represent ICTY staff members in all work-related matters. 

Staff Union representatives in the Committee negotiate on behalf of the staff with senior management at the ICTY/MICT and are regularly consulted on matters of policy. Assistance is provided to staff if they have a dispute over contractual status, disciplinary process, conflicts, etc. 

The Staff Union Committee maintains contact with union officials at UNHQ in New York and Geneva on matters of UN-wide policy. On an annual basis, UN-CTSU representatives attend the Staff Management Committee (SMC), participate in discussions with the Office of Human Resource Management (OHRM) auditors and the Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA), and are in communication with the Office of Internal Oversight (OIOS). 

Not at all. This is strictly voluntary. The Staff Union is mandated to represent ICTY/MICT staff in global meetings and negotiations. However, one-on-one consultations are restricted to Staff Union contributing members. As we act on behalf of all staff members at the ICTY/MICT, we encourage everyone to participate.

There are several reasons why we  feel it is necessary to ask for staff contributions:

Firstly, the Staff Union is now a member in the Co-ordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations (better known as “CCISUA”). CCISUA is an umbrella organisation for staff associations of UN organisations in the Secretariat which lobbies on behalf of its members before the General Assembly and also through UNHQ. Membership in CCISUA requires a contributing fee which is calculated on the basis of the number of professional and general service staff members working in an organisation. Without contributions from the staff, we will not be in a position to remain a member of CCISUA and benefit from its representation.

Secondly, we sponsor staff-oriented programmes. We are also involved in social unionism and can financially support activities organized for and by UN-CTSU members.

This will be done through the Payroll Unit of the Finance Section. You are requested to fill out and sign a contribution form, indicating the amount you intend to contribute each month. This amount will be automatically debited from your monthly salary. 

We have adopted the UN standard of 1/400th of your monthly salary as a recommended contribution. The recommended contribution for each grade is calculated at the step 1 level.

This is a different approach from that taken in other organizations, where steps are included in the calculation of the recommended contribution. Staff members are, however, free to set their own contribution level. The contribution of local staff in the field offices of the former Yugoslavia and general services staff in Arusha and Kigali is 1 euro per month.

The contribution table has remained unchanged since its introduction at the ICTY in 2003, so in real terms the Staff Union has been able to provide great services while freezing the contribution levels.

Yes, you can. Often GTA or short-term contracts are extended and we welcome all applications for membership using the monthly contribution option.

You can stop your contribution or vary the amount at any time by notifying the Staff Union and Payroll in writing.

The Staff Union is required to adhere to strict financial standards as set out in the UN-CTSU Constitution and the Financial Rules.

The Staff Union, upon becoming a fund-holding body, was required to appoint a Treasurer and a Vice-Treasurer who bear primary responsibility for ensuring that we conform to those standards. The Treasurers have both completed an external certificated training by a UK trade union auditor.  

An external independent financial audit has been carried out for each year since 2005 ; the audits are published on the Staff Union website via Tribunet and copies can be obtained from the office. 

You can contact our office at ext. 8119, Fraser McIlwraith at ext. 8721 or Hélène Quiniou at ext. 8532, or any of the representatives.

The office is located in room M242 in The Hague. 

The office is located in the Main building, room 242 and is reachable by phone at ext. 8119 or by e-mail at staffunion@un.org.

You may approach any member of the Staff Union directly (see Who's Who). You can also write to the Staff Union Committee via our e-mail or contact the office on ext. 8119.

The Staff Union Committee is comprised of several working groups, each of which has a certain area of expertise (see Who's Who). The Staff Legal Advice working group can assist you with a job-related issue but if the problems are personal (conflicts of personality, etc.), then feel free to come to our office and we’ll discuss with you in confidence what would be the best approach to take.

The Health and Safety working group can check on health standards in the workplace and seek change on behalf of staff members.

Staff Union Executive Board members have regular meetings with the Registrar, the President and the CAO. Staff Union representatives also represent your interests at regularly-scheduled completion strategy meetings with senior management. They formally negotiate on ICTY local issues through the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) established in 2004. Work on a MICT JNC is in progress

Staff Union Committee meetings are strictly confidential. However townhall and open meetings are organised on a regular basis.

We will provide you with legal and/or official support if your appeal has merit and a violation of your rights is involved. Irrespective of the nature of your appeal, we are always willing to advise you on how to proceed. 

Yes, as a member we will provide you with legal and/or official support if your appeal has merit and a violation of your rights is involved. Irrespective of the nature of your appeal, we are always willing to advise you on how to proceed.