Goal 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
8.2.2 Employment Practice Unions
2023-2024
The establishment and active role of the Labor Union at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) reflect the institution’s firm commitment to protecting and promoting labor rights for all employees—men and women alike, including international staff. Through its advocacy for freedom of association, collective bargaining, and fair representation, the Union ensures that every member of the AASTMT community has a voice in shaping workplace policies and conditions.
This inclusive and democratic approach directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Decent Work and Economic Growth, by fostering an environment grounded in equity, respect, and participation. By promoting fair labor practices, encouraging open dialogue between management and staff, and aligning institutional policies with international labor standards, the AASTMT Labor Union contributes to building a culture of decent work, social justice, and sustainable economic growth across the Academy.
Labor Union at Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)
In May 2024, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) conducted its official Labor Union elections, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to democratic representation and employee engagement. The elections, formally approved by the AASTMT President, aimed to ensure fair and inclusive representation for both faculty and administrative staff.
The AASTMT Labor Union comprises 30 elected members — 20 representing the teaching faculty and 10 representing administrative employees — all chosen through a transparent and participatory election process. Voting took place over three days via the Academy’s secure online portal, allowing all staff and faculty members equal opportunity to participate regardless of location.
The election results reflected strong gender inclusivity, with 13 female and 17 male representatives elected to serve a three-year term, highlighting AASTMT’s dedication to gender equality and fair labor representation in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The duties and responsibilities of the elected Labor union at AASTMT are as follows:
The Role of the Labor Union at AASTMT
The Labor Union at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) serves as a strategic partner to employees, supervisors, managers, and the university administration in all matters related to collective representation, labor relations, and collective bargaining. It plays a vital role in fostering equitable, transparent, and collaborative work relations that reflect AASTMT’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Core Functions
The primary focus of the Labor Union includes:
- Overseeing labor relations between the university administration and AASTMT’s collective bargaining units, including negotiating, interpreting, and implementing collective bargaining agreements.
- Providing strategic guidance to managers, supervisors, and HR professionals on union activities, labor relations, and collective bargaining matters.
- Promoting collaborative labor-management relations through constructive dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Supporting policy development and compliance, ensuring all labor-related policies and practices align with national labor laws and international labor standards.
Extended Roles and Responsibilities
Beyond its core duties, the elected Labor Union actively contributes to strengthening AASTMT’s internal work environment through the following responsibilities:
- Employee Advocacy: Represent and protect the rights, welfare, and interests of all employees, ensuring their voices are effectively heard in institutional decision-making.
- Communication Liaison: Serve as a communication bridge between the administration and the workforce, promoting open, transparent, and continuous dialogue.
- Conflict Resolution: Mediate workplace disputes and maintain a fair, respectful, and harmonious environment.
- Educational Outreach: Organize awareness sessions and workshops on employee rights, responsibilities, and collective bargaining provisions.
- Policy Review and Consultation: Collaborate with management to review and enhance institutional policies affecting staff and faculty.
- Compliance Monitoring: Ensure adherence to labor laws, internal policies, and collective bargaining agreements, reporting violations where necessary.
- Promotion of Inclusivity: Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion across all levels of employment, upholding respect for individual differences.
- Grievance Handling: Receive, assess, and address employee grievances following established procedures.
- Fair Compensation Advocacy: Advocate for equitable pay, competitive benefits, and safe, fair working conditions.
- Representation in Negotiations: Participate in collective bargaining negotiations to secure favorable terms for all employees.
- Labor Relations Training: Offer training and capacity-building programs to managers and staff on effective labor relations practices.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Track labor developments and regularly update both union members and university leadership.
Academic Staff Elections and SDG 8 Alignment
The elections for academic staff affairs at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) embody the institution’s commitment to the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Decent Work and Economic Growth. These elections promote inclusivity, transparency, and accountability within the academic community, ensuring that every faculty member—regardless of background, gender, or nationality—has an equal voice in shaping policies that affect their professional and working environment.
Through these democratic elections, elected faculty representatives advocate for fair working conditions, academic excellence, and faculty welfare, reinforcing SDG 8’s objectives of promoting decent work, productive employment, and sustainable institutional growth grounded in fairness and participation.
Role and Functions of Elected Members
The procedures governing faculty elections at AASTMT are designed to ensure fair representation and integrity throughout the process. Once elected, the members assume multifaceted roles that bridge academic, administrative, and developmental dimensions:
- Representation and Advocacy: Elected members serve as the collective voice of the academic body, representing faculty interests, addressing professional concerns, and promoting equitable working conditions.
- Policy Development and Governance: They actively contribute to shaping academic policies, curriculum development, and faculty welfare initiatives, ensuring that decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of the teaching community.
- Communication and Collaboration: By maintaining open dialogue with the university administration, they foster mutual understanding, collaboration, and a positive work culture that encourages research, innovation, and academic excellence.
- Mentorship and Professional Support: Elected members also mentor junior faculty and contribute to professional development programs that enhance teaching and research quality.
Administrative Participation and Institutional Impact
In addition to their academic roles, elected representatives play a vital part in institutional governance and decision-making. They:
- Serve on academic committees, contributing their expertise to curriculum reform, student assessment, and faculty evaluation processes.
- Participate in discussions on resource allocation, ensuring that faculty and departments have the infrastructure and tools necessary for high-quality teaching and research.
- Promote transparency and accountability in university operations, upholding the values of fairness and institutional integrity.
Once the election results are accredited by the AASTMT President, the elected members formally assume their responsibilities and continue to play a decisive role in shaping the academic and administrative landscape of the Academy. Their contributions help advance AASTMT’s mission of delivering world-class education while reinforcing its alignment with SDG 8, particularly through decent work practices, shared governance, and sustainable institutional growth.
To learn about the academic staff elections regulations, check the Academic Staff Affairs Regulations (English), Regulation 2014, page 8.
Check the Academic Staff Affairs Regulations (Arabic), لائحة 2014 , pages 8 and 9.
2022-2023
The establishment and activities of the Labor Union at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) significantly contribute to the recognition of unions and labor rights, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, for all employees, including women and international staff. This commitment to labor rights aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) - "Decent Work and Economic Growth." By ensuring democratic representation, promoting fair working conditions, fostering harmonious workplace relations, and aligning policies with international labor standards, the AASTMT Labor Union plays a pivotal role in advancing the SDG 8 objective of achieving sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, including women and international staff.
Labor Union at Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)
In May 2023, the AASTMT announced the elections for the Labor union which is responsible for representing AASTMT faculty and staff. The labor union was officially approved by the AASTMT president. The AASMT labor union consists of 30 members (20 from the teaching staff and 10 from the employees). All of the members of the labor union are elected by AASTMT teaching faculty and employees. The elections were conducted in May 2023 on three days, where all employees of the AASTMT had the opportunity to elect their representatives online through their online portal. The elections resulted in the election of 14 females and 16 males to represent the AASTMT teaching staff and employees for three years.
The duties and responsibilities of the elected Labor union at AASTMT are as follows:
The Labor union serves as a strategic partner to the employees, supervisors, managers, and administration of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in all matters related to collective employee groups, union activity, and various collective bargaining agreements. More specifically, the focus of the Labor Union is as follows:
• Oversee labor relations between the University administration and AASTMT’s collective bargaining units, including negotiating, interpreting, and administering the various Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Provide leadership and strategic guidance to managers, supervisors, and university human resource professionals regarding union activities, labor management matters, and any other matters concerning the collective bargaining agreements.
• Cultivate positive and proactive relationships between labor and management through collaborative conflict resolution.
• Guide the creation and interpretation of policies, procedures, and state and federal regulations.
In addition to the roles mentioned, the elected Labor Union at AASTMT may also have the following duties and responsibilities:
• Employee Advocacy: Advocate for the rights, concerns, and welfare of all employees within the university, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are represented effectively.
• Communication Liaison: Act as a bridge of communication between the university administration and the workforce, facilitating open and transparent dialogue on labor-related matters.
• Conflict Resolution: Play a pivotal role in mediating and resolving workplace conflicts and disputes to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment.
• Educational Outreach: Organize educational programs and workshops to inform employees about their rights, responsibilities, and the provisions of collective bargaining agreements.
• Policy Review: Collaborate with university management to review and recommend changes to policies and procedures that may impact employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.
• Compliance Monitoring: Monitor and ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and the terms of collective bargaining agreements, reporting any discrepancies or issues as necessary.
• Promotion of Inclusivity: Encourage diversity and inclusivity within the workforce, striving to create an environment that values and respects individual differences.
• Grievance Handling: Receive, investigate, and address employee grievances in accordance with established procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
• Advocacy for Fair Compensation: Advocate for fair and competitive compensation packages for employees, addressing issues related to wages, benefits, and working conditions.
• Representation in Negotiations: Participate in negotiations with the university administration to secure favorable terms and conditions for employees in collective bargaining agreements.
• Labor Relations Training: Offer training programs to educate employees, managers, and supervisors on labor relations practices and compliance with labor laws.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitor labor union activities and developments, providing regular reports and updates to both union members and university leadership.
These additional roles and responsibilities demonstrate the comprehensive and multifaceted role of the elected Labor Union in ensuring fair labor practices and promoting a productive and harmonious work environment at AASTMT.
Elections of the Academic Staff Affairs:
The elections for academic staff affairs at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) are directly related to Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) - "Decent Work and Economic Growth." These elections promote inclusivity, transparency, and accountability within the academic community, ensuring that all faculty members, regardless of background, have a voice in shaping their working conditions. Elected members advocate for fair working conditions, academic excellence, and faculty welfare, aligning with SDG 8's objectives of fostering decent work, promoting full and productive employment, and advancing economic growth through equitable and transparent institutional practices.
The procedures for faculty staff elections in the AASTMT are crucial in ensuring fair and representative participation. Once elected, the roles of these members are multifaceted. Firstly, they serve as the voice and advocates of the academic faculty, representing their interests and concerns. These elected members actively engage in shaping academic policies, curriculum development, and faculty welfare. They work to bridge communication gaps between the faculty and the university administration, fostering a positive environment that encourages academic excellence, research, and innovation. Their roles extend to providing mentorship and support to colleagues, contributing to the institution's academic vision, and ensuring the quality of education provided to students.
Secondly, the elected members play a significant role in administrative decision-making processes. They participate in academic committees and contribute their expertise to the development of academic programs, student assessment methods, and faculty evaluations. Their involvement in resource allocation discussions ensures that necessary resources and infrastructure are secured to support effective teaching and research. By actively engaging in these administrative roles, they uphold transparency and efficiency in academic affairs. Their ultimate contribution lies in advancing the institution's academic success and fulfilling its mission of providing quality education. Once the elections' outcomes are accredited by the President of the Academy, these elected members continue to be instrumental in shaping the academic and administrative landscape of the institution.
To learn about the academic staff elections regulations, read the Academic Staff Affairs Regulations (English), Regulation 2014, page 8.
Academic Staff Affairs Regulations (Arabic), لائحة 2014 , pages 8 and 9.
2021 - 2022
The establishment and activities of the Labor Union at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) significantly contribute to the recognition of unions and labor rights, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, for all employees, including women and international staff. This commitment to labor rights aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) - "Decent Work and Economic Growth." By ensuring democratic representation, promoting fair working conditions, fostering harmonious workplace relations, and aligning policies with international labor standards, the AASTMT Labor Union plays a pivotal role in advancing the SDG 8 objective of achieving sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, including women and international staff.
Labor Union at Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)
In April 2021, the AASTMT announced the elections for the Labor union which is responsible for representing AASTMT faculty and staff. The labor union was officially approved by the AASTMT president. The AASMT labor union consists of 30 members (20 from the teaching staff and 10 from the employees). All of the members of the labor union are elected by AASTMT teaching faculty and employees. The elections were conducted in April 2021 on three days, where all employees of the AASTMT had the opportunity to elect their representatives online through their online portal. The elections resulted in the election of 17 females and 13 males to represent the AASTMT teaching staff and employees for three years Read more...