The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

20 DECEMBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL and Uruguay are accepting the idea that their local employees can be repre- sented by a worldwide organization. Loosening the strict interpretation of the Vienna Convention with regard to locally recruited employees has changed the working conditions in many diplomatic missions, especially in the embassies of developing countries. What about State? So far the State Department has failed to make progress in this area. State’s refusal to recognize its largest segment of employees has left no win- ners, only losers. Within the U.S. foreign affairs community the issue remains unresolved. Local employees working in U.S. embassies have not yet been given access to a transparent and clearly codified human resources process or a credible system of justice in Wash- ington. They continue to be isolated, without any mechanism to reflect on, discuss and mediate work-related issues on regional and worldwide levels. A worldwide professional organiza- tion to represent local employees would allow them to become full-fledged partners in the mission of the State Department. State would do well to give its full support to such an association and recognize FSNs as a major compo- nent of its workforce. FSNs would feel empowered, and the department would take a big step toward becoming a truly inclusive employer. But rather than building strength through unity, State has opted for the status quo and a compartmentalized organization, with FSNs as the only employee group without any way to interact with its employer. In so doing, State is missing an opportunity to cre- ate an integrated department and put into practice the ideals it so forcefully promotes via the labor program it advo- cates in foreign capitals. Only mutual trust can break the deadlock, and building trust is a lengthy process. The question must be asked: Has State closed the door forever on this very practical dream? n