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Europe

PSI is represented in Europe by the European Federation of Public Service Unions, based in Brussels. For more on our activities in this region, please see the EPSU website

You can also view a list of European affiliates or contact European regional offices

UN poverty expert warns against tsunami of unchecked privatisation

26 October 2018
psi/shutterstock.com

New report on "Extreme poverty and Human rights" finds that "widespread privatisation of public goods in many societies is systematically eliminating human rights protections and further marginalising those living in poverty".

PCS wins £3million check-off compensation

18 October 2018

PSI affiliate PCS has achieved a major victory over the UK government in a dispute over the check-off system for union dues. On 16 October 2018, the High Court ruled that ministers acted illegally by withdrawing check-off in a brutal attempt to bankrupt the union.

Over 8,000 women in Glasgow to strike over gender-based pay discrimination in public services

18 October 2018
GMB members (left to right) Gillian Docherty, Eileen Dougall, Shona Thomson and Lee-Ann Dougall (Jane Barlow/PA)

Thousands of school staff, caterers, cleaners, nursery and care workers - members of PSI affiliates UNISON and GMB - will begin a 48-hour strike action on 23 October. The decision comes after a 12-year tribunal battle, and a repeated refusal by the city council to state its position after the highest court in Scotland ruled last year that the city’s pay system was discriminatory.

PSI trade unions fight for decent work and trade union rights in Ukraine

18 October 2018

Almost 20 thousand trade union members, from FPU and its member organisations, representing public sector workers, doctors, teachers, miners, communal workers, metalworkers, etc. marched through Kyiv on October 17 chanting “Jobs, Wages, Decent Life!”

13 October - International Day for Disaster Prevention

12 October 2018

On UN International Day for Disaster Prevention, PSI calls on UN to focus on public emergency workers and warns of increasing climate chaos.

PSI and UCLG ask for better labour statistics for local and regional government workers worldwide

12 October 2018

PSI and United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) have joined forces to improve labour data collection for their constituencies. On 15 October, they jointly called labour statisticians from around the world, gathered in Geneva for the 20th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS), to take steps towards filling this major gap.

IMF Critical of UK Privatisation?

11 October 2018

A new IMF study concludes that Britain’s underlying public finances are among the worst in the world, thanks to the cost of bailing out the banks after the financial crisis and because “the UK has done more to sell off public assets and consequently reduce the possible income from assets that could offset demands on the public purse” says The Guardian.

Climate IPCC Report 2018 - PSI Reaction

11 October 2018

PSI welcomes the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on global warming released on 8 October 2018. 

Report exposes how PPPs across the world drain the public purse, and fail to deliver in the public interest

08 October 2018

Experts call for World Bank Group to end aggressive promotion of PPPs for public service provision. A new report exposing how public private partnerships across the globe have drained the public purse and failed to deliver in the public interest will be launched at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank in Bali next week.

Decent Work’s 10th anniversary – JUST DO IT!

06 October 2018

On 7 October 2018 we “celebrate” the 10th anniversary of the World Day for Decent Work (WDDW): 10 years that unions across the world have been fighting to place decent work at the centre of government policies, to bring back economic growth that puts people first – people over profit.

Quality Revolution in Health Care; Fundamental for Achieving SDGs

27 September 2018

The report of the Lancet Global Health Commission on High Quality Health Systems in the SDG era (HQSS) shows quite clearly that the universal health coverage strategy is not sufficient to improve health in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Provision of good-quality health care is essential for the attainment of sustained improvement in health outcomes and the full realisation of the human right to health.

Demonstrating commitment and leadership on equal pay

26 September 2018

PSI is participating in an Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) Pledging Event. The main objective of the event is to build a consortium of committed partners to accelerate the pace in closing the gender pay gap and achieving equal pay, in line with target 8.5 of the SDGs.

Four-day working week for all is a realistic goal this century, unions say

20 September 2018

Advances in technology mean that a four-day working week is a realistic goal for most people by the end of this century, the leader of the UK's trade union movement has said. She gets support from the biggest trade union in Norway, Fagforbundet, saying “our backdrop is the same” and there is a great “need for reorganizing our working hours”.

Privatization Watch - 05/2018

13 September 2018

Latest issue of #PrivatizationWatch (05/2018) - The Global newsletter on privatization of public services around the world.

Forced labor down in spring cotton work, systemic problems remain

11 September 2018

For the first time in years, public sector workers were not forcibly mobilized to plant and weed cotton in Uzbekistan in spring 2018, although serious structural problems in the cotton sector threaten to undermine this development. The Uzbek-German Forum, a Cotton Campaign member, released these findings in a report published today.

Policy brief EB-148 : Trade Union Development Projects (UD)

06 October 2016

This policy brief on Trade Union Development Projects (UD) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in PSI trade union development project work during 2015. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Migration

06 October 2016

This policy brief on Migration was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to provide EB-148 with an overview of the current global humanitarian crisis. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities related to MNEs since PSI Steering Committee SC-19 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in November 2015. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Anti-Corruption

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Anti-Corruption was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of recent activities on anti-corruption and to inform EB-148 of proposed action on the protection of whistleblowers for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Trade

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Trade was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in trade since EB-147, that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015, and to inform EB-148 of proposed action in trade for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Tax Justice

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Tax Justice was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in tax since EB-147, that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015, and to inform EB-148 of proposed action in tax for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : International Financial Institutions (IFIs)

04 October 2016

This policy brief on International Financial Institutions (IFIs) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of progress in IFI work. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Young Workers

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Young Workers was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of PSI activities on young workers’ issues. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Gender Equality, Combating Racism and Xenophobia, and LGBTI Workers

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Gender Equality, Combating Racism and Xenophobia, and LGBTI Workers was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in gender equality and LGBTI issues since EB-147, that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015, and to inform EB-148 of proposed actions for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Trade Union Rights

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Trade Union Rights was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is for EB-148 to note activities in the area of trade union rights. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Educational Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW)

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Educational Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW) was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of work in the Educational Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW) sector. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Health and Social Services

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Health and Social Services was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in the Health and Social Services sector since the PSI Steering Committee SC-19 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in November 2015 and inform EB-148 of activities planned for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Utilities

04 October 2016

This policy brief on utilities was produced for the PSI Executive Board EB-148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in the utilities sector since the PSI Steering Committee SC-19 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in November 2015 and inform EB-148 of activities planned for 2016. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Policy brief EB-148 : Local and Regional Government

04 October 2016

This policy brief on Local and Regional Government (LRG) was produced for the PSI Executive Board 148 held at the ILO in Geneva (Switzerland) on 19-20 May 2016. Its objective is to inform EB-148 of activities in the local and regional government sector since EB-147 that took place in Geneva (Switzerland) in May 2015. The brief is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish and Japanese.

Final report of the expert group to the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth

21 September 2016

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, established the High-Level Commission on
Health Employment and Economic Growth (ComHEEG) in March 2016. Its task is to propose intersectoral
actions to guide and stimulate the creation of health and social sector jobs to advance inclusive
economic growth.
In support of the Commission’s work, an Expert Group was convened to critically review the
available evidence.

World Public Services Day 2014

22 June 2014

On the occasion of World Public Services Day, Public Services International and its affiliates are working together across borders to end tax havens, tax avoidance and corruption, and to bring in progressive tax systems that are properly resourced and enforced. Tax justice enables public spending for the common good, and provides the means for economic self-sufficiency for municipal, regional and national governments.

EPSU 9th Congress

20 May 2014
EPSU Congress logo

The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), PSI's European branch, is holding its 9th Congress, 20-23 May 2014, in Toulouse, France.

7th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)

12 May 2014

The GFMD Civil Society Days will take place on 12th-13th May 2014 at the Brewery Conference Centre, Stockholm. A shared session with governments, known as the Common Space, will be held in the same venue on the 14th of May. The GFMD Government Days will take place at the same location on 15th - 16th of May.

World Water Day

22 March 2014

The 4th International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector

04 March 2014
The 4th International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector

The 4th International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector will take place in Miami, USA, from 22-24 October 2014. The largest and most relevant mondial conference dedicated to work related aggression and violence within the health and social services sector.

Joint ILO-PSI Training and Planning Workshop on Labour Migration

13 December 2013

This event is part of a Joint PSI and ILO ACTRAV project on labour migration in Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia.

Public Service Trade Union Action Planning Meeting on Social Protection for Migrant Workers

25 November 2013

Public Services International (PSI), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization Decent Work Across Borders Project (ILO DWAB): a Pilot Project for Migrant Health Professionals and Skilled Workers, funded by the European Union, is organising a “Public Service Trade Union Action Planning Meeting on Social Protection for Migrant Workers,” 28-30 November 2013, Berlin, Germany.

PSI Communicators' Action Network - Greece 4-8 November 2013

05 November 2013

An expert team of affiliate union journalists and communicators from around the world are gathering for the PSI-EPSU Communicators’ Action Network initiative in Athens, Greece from 4-8 November. This is a joint project of PSI and EPSU, together with our affiliate unions, ADEDY, and allies in Greece. Read the stories: www.psi-can-greece.org

PSI Workshop at the WTO Forum

27 September 2013
Someone typing on a computer

PSI has been selected to run a workshop at the WTO Annual forum where we can explain to Ambassadors and trade negotiators from all over the globe why the TISA hurts quality public services.

World Water Day

22 March 2013

Global Unions Strategy Meeting on Labour Migration: Building Alternatives

17 September 2012
Rally

Invitation to the Global Unions Strategy Meeting on Labour Migration: Building Alternatives, 24 - 25 September 2012, Brussels

First Forum & Federation symposium on workers’ health

06 December 2011

Together with the NGO Forum for Health, PSI will be participating in the first Forum & Federation symposium on workers’ health to take place on 6 December, from 10:00 to 14:00, at the CICG in Geneva (Salle 4).

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Global Forum on Migration and Development - Civil Society Days

28 November 2011
Marching at the GFMD demo in Geneva on 2 December 2011

This year's GFMD Civil Society Days, focusing on the theme "Taking Action on Labour Migration, Development and the Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families," will bring together 200 civil society delegates to discuss and make recommendations to governments in the areas of rights-based policy making for the benefit of migrant workers and their families, protection for undocumented migrant wokrers, labour mobility and development alternatives to migration.

Video - Greece: Austerity cuts take ironic toll on tax collection

06 January 2014

There were 18,000 tax administration staff members in Greece before the economic crisis. Austerity measures have forced a 50% cut in staff – at the end of 2013 just 9,000 workers remained.

Video: Public service workers resist austerity’s 'social experiment' in Greece

06 January 2014

Greece has agreed to cut up to 40,000 public workers over the next two years, in return for continued financial assistance. The global union federation Public Services International joined Greek workers who took to the streets in a general strike on 6 November 2013 to protest continued cuts to decent jobs and public services imposed by the 'Troika'.

Video - Greek youth: austerity cuts to education rob our future

06 January 2014

Under forced austerity measures, the Greek government is cutting education funding by almost half, laying off staff and privatising remaining services. For months, there have been no classes, no new enrollment and no exams at Greece's oldest university, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and its partner school, the National Technical University of Athens, as administrative workers strike to protect public education and stop cuts to vital services including libraries and technical support.

Video: Defending public water in Greece

21 December 2013

Public workers who deliver water services in Athens and Thessaloniki are working with community allies, including “Save Greek Water,” and EPSU - the European arm of Public Services International, to keep public water systems in public hands. The government is trying to privatise and sell off these vital services under austerity measures.

Video: Greek health clinic treats victims of austerity

13 December 2013

The Elliniko community health clinic has become a symbol of solidarity for people in Greece who are being denied access to universal healthcare. The free municipal clinic has served more than 15,000 patients since it opened in 2011. Though a valiant initiative, run through donations and volunteers, is it a sustainable long-term solution to the pains caused by austerity and privatised health services?

David Boys of PSI at GWOPA’s global forum

02 December 2013

David Boys, Public Service International’s (PSI) deputy general secretary, talks to Akvo's Mark Charmer and challenges theories that market-based financing is the right approach for financing water utilities around the world at the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance’s (GWOPA) global forum that took place in Barcelona from 27-29 November 2013.

Photo gallery: PSI at the UN HLD and the PGA

07 October 2013

PSI at the UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development and the Peoples Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights, New York (USA), 30 Sept - 4 October 2013.

Videos: BRICS Cycle of Debates

04 September 2013

The CSPB News Special Edition on the BRICS Cycle of Debates

Bankable versus taxable

04 November 2011

Interview with David Boys (Public Services International and appointed to the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation - UNSGAB) at the Water Operators' Partnerships conference in Amsterdam, 2 November 2011.