RSCE Newsletter - Edition 13 - December 2023

In October of this year, 2023 the Field Staff Union-FSU saw a change in leadership.

Mr. Milan Dawoh Elected President of the FSU

Ms. Jackline Sarah Ojwang Omondi Vice-President of the FSU

Mr. Paul Smith Vice-President of the FSU

FSU-Entebbe sent their congratulatory messages to the new FSU leadership and at the same time, wholeheartedly thanked the outgoing president Mr. Mark Polane, Vice-President Ms. Leila Manly -Spain and Vice-President Liliya Galieva.

The Year 2023 has been and an eventful year for UN peacekeeping and for the UN staff in Entebbe. A lot of uncertainties were created with the unexpected MINUSMA closure, the pressure from the Congolese government on MONUSCO to accelerate their withdrawal, and UNITAMS mission significantly downsizing.

FSU-Entebbe has been proactively working with the management of the RSCE, MONUSCO, as well as the National Staff Association (NASA) to mitigate the impact for the international and national staff triggered by the closure and downsizing of these missions.

The FSU-Entebbe received assurances from the MONUSCO leadership that the staffing complement of MONUSCO in Entebbe will remain unchanged in the 2024/2025 budget. Changes that affect MONUSCO staff in Entebbe will be UN Security staff (UNDSS) and FTS staff, contracted by MONUSCO will be absorbed by RSCE in the 2024/2025 budget, with minor modifications to fit into the RSCE overall structure.

At the same time, we should be realistic, that the closure of MINUSMA, the downsizing of UNITAMS and MONUSCO will have an impact on the RSCE in 2024/2025 budget, and the RSCE staffing complement. Changes should be expected in that regard. To this effect, FSU-Entebbe has gotten assurances and have witnessed an immense effort from the RSCE management, to ensure there is no impact to staff who are sitting on RSCE posts.

During the 2023, FSU Entebbe also raised number of important and practical issues affecting the UN staff welfare and working conditions at the Entebbe duty station that you, the staff, brought to our attention. These issues were:

• Inflation affecting our base salaries and pension.

• Flexible Working Arrangements.

• Working hours in Entebbe.

• Residency Permits.

• Red Plated Vehicles.

• Several other important issues.

We shared all this information captured in the official minutes of the meetings with international staff. As with all collective bargaining processes, FSU-Entebbe was successful in some respects while we were less successful in others.

As we go into 2024, FSU-Entebbe assures you that we will continue to tirelessly work on the important issues for the UN Entebbe Staff. We will continue to raise the important issues with Management, which have an impact on the staff performance, motivation, staff retention and potential loss of institutional memory. All which are critical for UN Entebbe Campus to operate efficiently.

As we get closer to the end of the year, FSU-Entebbe would like to thank you for your confidence in the FSU and wish you a Merry Christmas and fondest wishes to you and your families in the New Year. May the best of 2023 be the worst of 2024.