08 May 2015
The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) is pleased to welcome Management and Consular Officers (MCO) to the Association.
Following a long awaited Treasury Board decision to include consular and emergency management functions as part the Foreign Service Occupational Group definition, approximately 300 employees working both at headquarters and in missions will now be added to the Foreign Service bargaining unit. MCOs have been serving Canadian interests abroad alongside Foreign Service Officers by providing assistance and protection to Canadians or while also offering critical support to mission operations in managing properties, budgets and overseeing local staff.
PAFSO currently represents some 1300 officers working in the immigration, trade and political streams of the Foreign Service. These officers are hired to spend the majority of their career outside of Canada defending and executing Canada’s foreign policy, promoting trade and investment and implementing immigration priorities.
“It seems only natural that MCOs be considered Foreign Service Officers as we have always worked hand-in-hand with them in serving Canadian interests abroad,” says Tim Hodges, President of the Association. “We are committed to supporting the transition of our MCO colleagues to PAFSO and look forward to representing these officers who have always demonstrated an exceptional dedication to their work. This is a wonderful day for the Canadian Foreign Service community of professionals”, concludes Mr. Hodges.
PAFSO also wishes to recognize the efforts of a huge group of people, ranging from junior officers to various ministers and deputy-ministers who, over the last 23 years have persevered in order to obtain this change.
PAFSO is first and foremost the bargaining agent on behalf of its members. We also intervene to protect the status and standards of the profession, as well as maintain and promote the effective functioning of the foreign service of Canada along with providing the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development with corporate solutions on matters affecting the Foreign Service.
For more information about the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO), visit www.pafso.com