About CIU

• Brief History
• Programs and Services
• Program Thrusts
• Statement of Principles
• International Solidarity
• Executive Officers and Staff  

BRIEF HISTORY

The democratic space born out of the February 1986 revolution ushered in a new era in the Philippine labor movement. For almost half a century, the Philippines was the only country in Southeast Asia whose government employees did not enjoy full trade union rights or the system of free collective bargaining even as public sector unionism was a well established practice the world over. It is in the backdrop of this democratization process against a culture of repression and a consciousness of the role trade unions will play in the body politic that the Confederation of Independent Unions ‘was formed (It was Caucus of Independent Unions then).

CIU was initially organized October 9, 1987 in a consultation meeting of 13 independent unions in response to the threats of anti-democratic forces against the fledgling constitutional government. On November 22, 1987, it was formally organized as a “caucus” - a loose alliance of independent unions with the end in view of forging a united and stronger trade union federation of civil service employees.

After two years of organizing, education and mobilization campaigns, CIU held its founding convention on December 10, 1989 attended by 150 delegates representing 18 national agencies, 5 local government units, 1 state University and 1 non-government research institute. On March 28, 1992, the second National Convention was held where the affiliation of unions were formalized. The constitution and by-laws was amended and a new set of officers were elected.

LOOKING BACK

October 9, 1987 -Caucus of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU) was initially organized by 13 independent unions in a consultation meeting.

1.   ACCESS-SSS                           
2.   CELLDA - LLDA            
3.   BALIKATAN-NFA                 
4.   DARE-NFA                             
5.   MWU-MWSS
6.  ONE-NEDA
7.   PANTALAN-PPA
8.   PEUP-PPC
9.   SAMANHA-NHA  
10. SMPP-MIAA
11. SWEAP-DSWD  
12. USE-NSO
13. COSTRAPHIL-DOJ        

November 22,1987 -The organization was formally organized as “CAUCUS”

December 10,1989 -Founding Convention was held and attended by  150 delegates representing 18 NGA’s, 5 LGU’s  1 SUC and 1 NGO.

March 28,1992            Second National Convention

December 10,1994 -Third National Convention and the Constitution and By-Laws was amended from CAUCUS to Confederation.

December 10,1997-Fourth National Convention. New sets of officers were elected. Constitution and By-Laws were ratified from P1.00 dues payments into percentage base. 

December 10,2000 -Fifth National Convention. New set of officers were elected. Ratification of the 1/5 of 1% of MBS (monthly basic salary)  per member dues structure.

Program THRUSTS

• Fights for full recognition of the universal rights of all workers to organize into unions, to collectively bargain over terms and conditions of employment and to engage in peaceful concerted actions including the tight to strike for the interest and welfare of public sector members.

• Initiates and assists in the formation of strong and genuine trade unions at all levels of the government service.

• Pursues an extensive program of education and training for public sector unionists at all levels.

• Advocates and undertakes campaigns for good government and better public service.

• Defends and ensures security of tenure and employment for all government workers.

• Promotes cooperation among public sector unions through coordinated activities on issues and concerns directed at establishing unity in furtherance of employees’ tights, interests and welfare.

• Promotes strengthening of the civil service through elimination of the politics of patronage and spoils system.

• Promotes the values of public service and the professionalism of civil service corps.

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Programs and Services

EDUCATION

Regular Courses
Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS)
Trade Union Leadership and Adminisration (TULA)
Basic Political Education (BPE)

Skills Training
Publication and Media Relations Training
Trainors Training for Educators
Trainors Training for Organizers
Financial Management Training
Paralegal Training
Campaign Management, Mobilization and Lobbying Training
Collective Bargaining Skills Training

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Symposia/Fora on Current Issues
Policy Conferences
Study Circles

ORGANIZING

Servicing to Affiliates
Planning/Consultztion Sessions
Local Mobilization Assistance
Chapter Development
Executive Sessions

Expansion
National and Area-level Conferences
Alliance Building
Recruitment Activities
Political and legislative Action

PUBLICATION
Research and Documentation
CAUCUS - CIU's official publication
Assistance to Local Union Publication
Library Services
Policy Research

GENDER PROGRAM
Basic Women’s Awareness Seminar (BWAS) 
Gender Sensitivity Seminar for Men (GSSM)

LEGAL ASSISTANCE
SOCIO-CULTURAL ACTIVITIES  

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Statement of Principles

Civil Service

The civil service is an indispensable institution of a democratic state. Its ultimate mission is to serve the interest and welfare of the people. Government carry out their programs and vision of society largely thru its public servants.

Serving the People

Serving the people is the essence of public service. A public servant is not an employee of the government but of the people. The people alone are sovereign and governments simply emanate from them. Both the government and its civil service are servants of the people and are ultimately accountable to them.

Pubic Thrust and Accountability

A public office is a public trust. Public trust requires public accountability. Public officials owe their position and authority to the people and must, therefore, place public interest and people’s need above everything else in the performance of their jobs. To serve the people through the government or its civil service is a great patriotic duty and privilege.

Independence and Integrity of Trade Unions

Public servants must uphold integrity and independence at all times. Public service demands the highest regard of efficiency, professionalism, honesty and morality The civil service must be free from undue political interference and control. Public sector unions, associations or organizations must be voluntary; free and independent from government control.

Responsible Militancy

Public servants must engage in direct social and political actions tempered with the principles of social responsibility Participation of government workers in political affairs bath on the national and agency level must be pursued within the context of national interest and public welfare. National interest should take precedence over narrow sectoral or parochial concerns.

Trade Unions as Schools for Democracy

Trade unions are schools for “democracy”. Workers’ participation in the decision-making at all levels of the bureaucracy enhances rather than diminishes the efficiency of public administration. Democratic governance requires the institutionalization of the unions in the public sector as a participative agent for social change.

Collective Bargaining, Mutual Aid and Protection

Trade unions are organizations of workers for purposes of collective bargaining, mutual aid and protection. The primary task of unions is to protect their members from unfair labor practices and the tyranny of power.

Solidarity

Trade unions must forge solidarity with other labor organizations committed to the principles of a united, democratic, genuine and independent unionism on the basis of equality; mutual respect and independence.

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International Solidarity

CIU recognizes the importance of international solidarity and cooperation among trade unions and public sector workers all over the world. Genuine trade unions can only. flourish in a world where basic human and trade union tights are respected and protected.

CIU works closely with the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Union (LO-Norway) and the FriedrIch Ebert Stiftung (FES) and has enjoyed the partnership and cooperation of International Trade Secretariats (ITS) actively supporting the Philippine trade union movement. CIU has also established access to a network of public service organizations in Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe and the USA in the furtherance of international solidarity among public sector employees.

CIU is an affiliate of the Public Service International (PSI) since June 30, 1993.

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Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU)