From the President of the Staff Association

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July 21, 2010

                         SN-1/10-11

Inaugural Speech from the President of the Staff Association

RENE  L. GUTIÉRREZ

2010-2011

(pronounced on July 19, 2010)

Mr. Assistant Secretary General,

The Secretary for Administration and Finance,

Colleagues,

On June 24 and 25, 2010, 321 members of the General Secretariat personnel voted in a new Staff Committee to represent them and to defend and promote the rights of all the personnel of the Organization of American States (OAS).

This Committee will continue with its ongoing tasks and, at the same time, be on the alert to undertake any new initiatives in response to new challenges.

However, we need to point out that the success of a Staff Committee depends to a large extent on communication and interaction with the staff. In this new term we will therefore strengthen our commitment to generate opportunities for meetings that enable us to embark on timely dialogue concerning matters of interest to staff. Only joint and well-coordinated action will enable us to advance the objectives we have set ourselves.

To that end, the Committee will continue to keep staff abreast of its activities and strengthen opportunities for feedback from staff so that it can receive and respond to ideas, suggestions, and proposals that serve to enhance the work environment at the Organization. The Committee will seek ways to achieve better interaction with the staff located at headquarters, in the national offices of the Organization, and in projects in the member states.

As for the principal purpose of our Association, which is to protect the rights of all the personnel of the General Secretariat, especially in relation to their working conditions, the newly elected Committee will redouble its efforts to ensure that the appointment of an Ombudsman materializes, that consideration is given to the flexible working hours and distance work proposals, and that new entitlements are introduced, such as paternity leave and the recognition of stable unions.

Likewise, it is very important that OAS personnel be vigilant and actively engaged, with the Committee, in safeguarding their acquired rights, promoting and monitoring transparency in competitive processes, personnel recruitment, and the new performance evaluation system.

At the same time, the Committee will always be ready to enter into dialogue and coordination with the Administration on all topics and/or areas of common interest, such as: professional training for all staff; implementation of the new evaluation system; re-opening of the continuing contract, and updating of job descriptions, and so on.

I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to call upon the Joint Committee on Insurance Matters to continue striving to find formulas for maintaining the services offered, while taking into account the new Federal Law with regard to universal insurance.

Likewise, we will request the assistance and cooperation of the Association of Retirees (AROAS) in some of the Committee’s tasks. In times such as these, their enthusiasm, experience, and institutional memory are invaluable.

In the same vein, it is worth emphasizing that the Committee will continue supporting the projects and initiatives of groups of employees in sports and culture, including the art exhibit for personnel and friends of the OAS. Such activities foster unity among the staff.

Finally, with a view to increasing the level of voluntary contributions by staff to the Association and its Loyalty Benefit Fund, I invite you to renew your support by bringing your voluntary contributions up to date. Our Association belongs to all of us and will continue to serve us so long as we maintain that spirit of cooperation for the common good.

Colleagues of the 2009-2011 Committee, I thank you for your services to the Staff Association. This year was difficult, with a number of challenges which, in the end, strengthened us. It is in that context that a new year begins, a new decade with new challenges and opportunities for a new General Secretariat, ready to provide the staff needed to implement the mandates of the Member States. Be they short or long-term projects.

Finally, I wish to thank each and every one of you, and especially my colleagues in the Columbus Memorial Library for their support of my participation as President of the Association – not to mention the Departments of Conferences and Meetings and Institutional Image for their constant cooperation in transmitting this Assembly.