The Staff Association is the only statutory body defined in Chapter VII of the Staff Rules and Regulations that represents all employed and Associated members of the Organization’s personnel:

“Independently of the hierarchical channels, the relations between the Director-General of the Organization and the the personnel shall be established either on an individual basis or on a collective basis with the Staff Association as intermediary.”

The upcoming 2026–2027 mandate will present a major challenge for the Staff Association: the five-yearly review. This is a unique moment when the financial and social conditions of the Organization’s personnel are compared with those offered in other comparable labour markets.

As a reminder, Annex I of the Staff Rules and Regulations states:

“The purpose of the five-yearly review is to ensure that the financial and social conditions offered by the Organization allow it to recruit and retain the staff members required for the execution of its mission from all its Member States. In accordance with Article S II 1.03, these staff members must be of the highest competence and integrity. .

The five-yearly review must include basic salaries and may include any other financial or social conditions.”

As a delegate, you will play an essential role: bringing your ideas, being the voice of your colleagues, defending their interests, and actively contributing to improve working conditions for everyone.

 

2025 Election Calendar

The Staff Council of the Staff Association is renewed every two years. This year, elections of your representatives for the 2026–2027 mandate will take place according to the following schedule:

• Friday 3 October, 5:00 p.m. → Deadline for submitting an application
• Monday 13 October, 12:00 p.m. → Opening of voting
• Monday 3 November, 12:00 p.m. → Deadline for voting
• Thursday 13 and 27 November → Publication of results in Echo
• Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November → Staff Association Assizes
• Tuesday 2 December → First meeting of the new Staff Council and election of the new Executive Committee

 

How many seats are available?

The Staff Council has 57 delegates in total. Of these, 50 are elected:

• 47 seats to represent Employed members of personnel (MPE: staff, fellows, and graduates);
• 3 seats to represent Associated members of personnel (MPA).

 

Only Employed and Associated members of personnel who are members of the CERN Staff Association may stand for election. If you are not yet a member, please note that you can join until 3 October, the closing date of the electoral lists.

In addition, 7 delegates represent CERN pensioners, and are appointed by the CERN Pensioners’ Association (GAC-EPA).

It is essential for the Organization to have a balanced and diverse representation within the Staff Council, with delegates from all departments and units, from all professional categories and grades, each bringing their perspective on the subjects under discussion.

 

What is the role of a delegate?

Being a delegate means first and foremost being the link between your colleagues and the Staff Council: serving and defending your colleagues, and contributing your ideas to discussions within the Staff Association.

A delegate:

• Participates in meetings  of the Staff Council, which define the Association’s overall policy, elect the Executive Committee, and convene the General Assembly;
• Acts as a point of contact for advising and supporting colleagues;
• Contributes to the Association’s internal Commissions (pensions, social protection, employment conditions, health & safety, legal questions,  drafting articles, dealing with question of communication and training);
• May also be mandated by the Association to represent the personnel in the work of various official committees and bodies of the Organization.

Being a delegate also means being an active citizen of the Organization and contributing to the revision and establishment of its internal rules (SR&R, Operational & Administrative Circulars).

 

Becoming a delegate is rewarding both personally and professionally

Being a delegate allows you to:

• Have a unique opportunity to gain a broad overview of the Organization ;
• Acquire new skills useful beyond your activities in the Staff Association ;
• Expand your network by meeting new colleagues.

 

Who can be a delegate? How to apply?

All Employed members of personnel (MPE), Fellows, Graduates, and Associated members of personnel (MPA), who are also members of the Staff Association, may stand as candidates.

Application will be open from Thursday 4 September at 8:00 a.m. until Friday 3 October at 5:00 p.m.

You will then have three weeks to elect your representatives.

To vote or to stand as a candidate, you must be a member of the Staff Association by 3 October 2025.

If you are not yet a member, this election is the perfect opportunity to join. By voting, you help choose the candidates best able to represent you.

 

Results and New Staff Council

At the end of November, the Electoral Commission will officially announce the election results in ECHO. There you will discover your representatives, who will listen to you and support you throughout their mandate.

Join, vote, get involved: for your colleagues, for CERN personnel, and for the future of the entire CERN community.