Because understanding where we came from is important as we move forward, CICSA is taking steps to document our story. On a quest to uncover our past we discovered a committed and dedicated civil service navigating the rough waters of pay inequity, insufficient benefits, and inadequate working conditions. In the midst of despair, from among its own, rose up leaders who changed the course of history and laid the foundation for what exists in present day. Piecing together our history has been no small task and it is far from done. While we continue to pour over historical documents and connect the evidence we wanted to share with you just a small piece of the story we have uncovered.

“The Cayman Islands Civil Service Association emerged as a result of the issues that the young but steadily growing Civil Service was undergoing at the time.  The leaders of the Association emerged out of the higher ranks of the Civil Service, with persons like Mr. Harry McCoy, Ms. Una I. Bush, Mr. Clifton Hunter, Mr. Val Anderson, Mr. A. B Hunter, Mr. V. G. Johnson and Mr. Vernon Jackson laying the foundation for what we know as CICSA today. These stalwarts noticed that their colleagues in the other Caribbean Territories were formalising themselves into Unions and Associations which looked out for the rights of the worker’s, and realised that a similar thing needed to happen in the Cayman Islands.  Our local rank and file of the Civil Service reached out to their counterparts, in particular, those in Jamaica, for advice and guidance in establishing a worker’s group. The Association had its genesis somewhere in the mid to late 1950, and the evidence points to the existence of two groups, one focused on teachers and the other encompassed all other Government employees.

CICSA’s mission was to transform the Civil Service.  From the onset CICSA coined as its mantra: “Excellence in Service”, as it took steps to assist the Government in meeting its challenges. There is no doubt that CICSA has been able to successfully partner with the Government in delivering the kind of service worthy of a modern state, likewise, the Association is confident that its members will continue to rise to the challenges that confront us going forward.”