UN Staff Revolt Against Guterres’ Reform Plan in Rare No-Confidence Vote

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – Nearly 600 United Nations employees have passed a rare no-confidence vote against Secretary-General António Guterres, Deputy Secretary-General Guy Ryder, and the controversial UN80 reform plan aimed at overhauling the organization ahead of its 80th anniversary.

The initiative, led by Ryder, seeks to cut bureaucracy, relocate staff to lower-cost countries, and review thousands of mandates. But staff say the reforms are rushed, top-heavy, and unfairly target junior roles while protecting senior leadership.

A staff survey showed 72% opposed the job cuts and outsourcing, and 73% objected to exempting senior officials from reductions. Union leaders condemned the reforms as superficial and misguided, accusing leadership of avoiding accountability for internal failures.

“This reform blames staff instead of addressing leadership mismanagement,” said Ian Richards, former staff union chair. A memo from the UNOG Staff Union also criticized extended contracts for top officials, lack of staff consultation, and increased costs due to new headquarters proposals.

In response, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the leadership remains committed to consultation but acknowledged “difficult decisions ahead.”

The no-confidence vote–the first against a sitting UN chief since 2007–will be sent to Guterres and UN member states, marking a deepening rift between staff and leadership over the future of the world body.

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