OAS Staff News

This bulletin inaugurates the Staff Committee’s proposed monthly information newsletter to all staff, personnel on performance contracts, and others who serve the OAS General Secretariat.

On September 2, 2005, the Staff Committee met with the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza. Ricardo Domínguez, Chief of Staff of the Secretary General, was also present at the meeting. During the meeting the Committee gave the Secretary General a document listing the topics considered most important by the Committee. (See below).

1.1. Parity of remunerations and of job classification standards with those of the United Nations

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: Re-establishment of the required parity, which should exist within the General Secretariat, between the remuneration level and the responsibilities assigned to office directors, in accordance with the standards currently in force in the United Nations remunerations and classification system. This would mean overturning the measures that affected those staff members.

1.2. Review of different hiring systems currently in force and re-establishment of a qualified career service

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: Establishment of two joint working groups – one to review the hiring system currently in force; and another to study and propose the re-establishment of the career service within the General Secretariat in such a way that the Secretariat will have a balanced group of staff: those with experience and institutional memory and those who were recently contracted and have the skills tailored to the changing mandates of the governing bodies. This will undoubtedly redound in greater efficiency and loyalty to the Organization.

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: Make the Secretariat of the Tribunal independent within the new organizational structure of the OAS, separating it from the Department of Legal Affairs and Services. Appoint the Secretary of the Administrative Tribunal in consultation with the Judges of the Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Tribunal, which states, “The Tribunal shall have a Secretary, who shall be designated by the Secretary General of the Organization in consultation with the Judges of the Tribunal, if possible.”

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: Based on the March 2004 report prepared by the Staff Committee, update the current performance evaluation system so that it can become a true incentive mechanism and improve staff performance.

1.5. Implementation of Executive Order 05-07, Prohibition against Workplace Harassment

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: In keeping with the provisions of Executive Order 05-07: a) name and train as soon as possible six advisors and six investigators to make prohibition against psychological harassment in the workplace operational. The Secretary General is authorized to make these nominations in consultation with the OAS Staff Association and with other dependencies of the General Secretariat; b) Advise new directors joining the General Secretariat of the existence of this regulation prohibiting psychological harassment in the workplace, as well as corresponding sanctions when it is breached; and c) work together with the Staff Association and the General Secretariat to disseminate the provisions of this Executive Order to staff members.

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: Expedite current efforts to work with Management on steps needed to make this initiative a reality. These actions include, inter alia, obtaining the approval of the Fine Arts Commission of the District of Columbia, reviewing bids from companies interested in offering this service, and submitting a joint Administration/Staff Committee recommendation to the Office of the Secretary General.

Actions suggested by the OAS Staff Committee: Continue efforts to ensure that by the end of 2005 women occupy 50% of posts in each professional category in the OAS.

The Secretary General received the members of the Committee in a most courteous and cordial manner. He listened with interest to all the points raised and agreed, in principle, with the ideas brought forward. He expressed his intention to give them due consideration.

Decision: It was agreed that monthly meetings with the Secretary General and the Staff Committee will be held to follow up on the topics raised, as well as those of common interest that may come up in the future.

The Committee thanked the Secretary General for his attention and wished him success in his administration of the General Secretariat of the OAS, reiterating the staff’s commitment and dedication to fulfilling the various mandates of the Organization.

B. MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

On August 11, 2005, the President and a member of the Staff Committee met with Mr. Frank Almaguer, Director of the Department of Administration and Finance, and expressed concern over the current sanitary standards in the Organization, in light of cuts in the provision of some services.

Mr. Almaguer also expressed his concern and spoke of the lack of resources that renders this situation more complicated. He reiterated that he would analyze the subject to see which services could be reinstated to at least maintain the minimum standards.

Also mentioned was the concern over contracts expiring on August 31. He stated that contracts were being extended based on meetings between the Chief of Staff and the directors of each area.

The Staff Association has reviewed membership of current committees and subcommittees. The list of each committee and its current members follows. Information on the activities of each committee and subcommittee will be presented in subsequent bulletins.

The two representatives appointed by the Staff Association are Oscar Chavera and Luis Eduardo Jiménez. Maria Tereza Davis is the contact person for the Main and Administrative buildings.

The two principal representatives appointed by the Staff Committee are Gala Redington and Daniel Perna. The alternate members are Gladys Berly and Yacsire Cutler.

This Subcommittee comprises: Clara Estrada, Francisco Coves, and Michael Thomas.

This subcommittee comprises: María Teresa Mellenkamp, Ana María Lemos, Alison August-Treppel, and Fernando López.

This subcommittee is made up of Carlos Humud, Michael Thomas, Oscar Harasic, and Stella Villagrán.

The Staff Association will send a letter shortly, containing updated information on the analysis of the scale of monthly contributions by members of the Staff Association.

The 2005-2006 Staff Committee comprises: Clara Estrada (President); María T. Mellenkamp (Vice President), Fernando J. López (Treasurer), Francisco Coves (Pro-Treasurer), Stella Villagrán (Secretary), Alison August-Treppel, Carlos Humud, Michael Thomas, Ana María Lemos, Alternate (Pro-Secretary), and Ignacio Álvarez, Alternate.