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Inter-America

In North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, 140 labor organizations in 35 countries are affiliated to PSI, with a total membership of about 3.3 million workers. The regional office is currently based in São Paulo, Brazil. Contact the regional offices.

Ending workplace violence and harassment in public services

23 November 2018

The recent deaths of two young women health workers in Nigeria, Saifura and Hauwa, are the latest tragic examples of the dangers faced by workers when delivering public services. However, on this 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we must remember that it is not only in the extreme conditions of conflict zones that workplace violence occurs.

A commitment to collective action to eliminate workplace violence in the health sector

23 November 2018

PSI participated in the 6th Violence in the Health Sector conference that was held in Toronto on 24-26 October on the theme “Advancing the Delivery of Positive Practice”. The conference provided a platform for all parties confronted with the phenomenon of violence in healthcare to develop and implement positive practice and proactively respond to this complex problem.

An equal seat at the table

15 November 2018

On 5-9 November, PSI coordinated a workshop in Barbados, in collaboration with the Workers’ Activities branch (ACTRAV) of the ILO’s Latin America & Regional Office, to learn about gender-neutral job evaluation concepts and methods. The aim was to explore the application of gender-neutral pay systems in the workplace and especially in the health and social services sector.

Americans want better healthcare for all

12 November 2018

Healthcare is the most important issue of concern to Americans today. In an exit poll conducted by the Cable News Network (CNN) during the mid-term elections, 41% of respondents voted for healthcare as the “most important issue facing the country”. Immigration, economy and gun policy received 23%, 21% and 11% of the poll respectively.

ILO study reveals bankruptcy of pensions privatisation

07 November 2018
Photo: PSI/Shutterstock.com

A new publication by the ILO confirms PSI’s long-held position: the privatisation of public pension systems has delivered vast returns to a tiny financial elite while diminishing the incomes of workers in retirement.

31 October: UN World Cities Day – “Stop precarious work in local public services!”

30 October 2018

On UN World Cities Day 2018, PSI calls the United Nations, governments and mayors to halt the widespread use of precarious work in local and regional government services that hurts local communities, undermines the quality and accessibility of local public services, and stands in the way of achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities (SDG11).

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".

Charter: PSI Education Support and Cultural Workers’ Network

22 April 2015

During the founding meeting of the PSI Education Support and Cultural Workers Network (ESCW), that took place on 18-19 November 2014 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a charter of the network was adopted.

Survey results - Founding Meeting of PSI Education Support and Cultural Workers Network

20 April 2015

The survey's aim was to identify PSI affiliates that organize Education Support Workers. The survey was released in July 2014 in 7 different languages. There were 40 respondents from 21 different countries.

Our public water future: The global experience with remunicipalisation

18 April 2015

Privatisation on the backfoot as new book shows that the growing wave of cities putting water back under public control has now spread to 37 countries impacting 100 million people.

Information for activities in Mexico during the week of IAMRECON 2015

19 March 2015

A series of activities and meetings will precede the Inter-Regional Conference 2015, known as IAMRECON by its acronym in English. IAMRECON is held every five years and involves all affiliates in the Inter-Americas region. This event provides an excellent opportunity to organise a number of pre-conference meetings which are:

IAMRECON - Programa/Timetable

19 March 2015

The programme for IAMRECON, taking place from 23-24 April, and the preliminary meetings, taking place from 20-22 April, is now available.

Publication: Why Public-Private Partnerships don’t work

17 March 2015
Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work

The new report Why Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) don’t work: The many advantages of the public alternative contains a combination of 30 years of research by David Hall, former Director of Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) University of Greenwich, UK.

Negotiating Healthy Trade in Australia

03 March 2015

This report published by the Centre for Health Equity Training Research and Evaluation provides an overview of the dimensions of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) relevant to health, the process and findings of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) - including characterising the potential health impacts based on the literature and stakeholder input - and recommendations to the Australian Government to avoid or mitigate potential harms from the TPP. The authors intend for the HIA to inform negotiations and health sector advocacy on the TPP.

Report: Unhappy Meal

27 February 2015

This report is the product of a coalition of European and American trade unions, representing more than 15 million workers in different sectors of the economy in 40 countries, and War on Want, the U.K.-based anti-poverty campaign group. The members of the coalition work towards an economy built on decent jobs and a fair, progressive tax system at the global, E.U., and national levels. It is the first time that we have joined forces to highlight an example of corporate tax avoidance, a critical issue a¬ecting the future of democracy and the welfare state.

Wealth: Having It All and Wanting More

25 February 2015

This research paper published by Oxfam International shows that the richest 1 percent have seen their share of global wealth increase from 44 percent in 2009 to 48 percent in 2014 and at this rate will be more than 50 percent in 2016.

Banner: Right to strike

13 February 2015

Use these banners in your Right to Strike activities on 18 February and until 21 March.

Secret proposal for trade in health services in direct conflict with global agenda for health

03 February 2015

A recently leaked proposal tabled by Turkey in the TISA negotiations argues for a system that promotes insurance reimbursement (for those who have health insurance) for treatment at lower cost in another country.

PLADA - Development platform of the Americas

30 January 2015

This document was published by the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) through the Union FES Project, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Programme of Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) of the ILO.

PSI and EI Cooperation Agreement

18 December 2014

On 18th December 2014, PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, and EI General Secretary, Fred Van Leeuwen, signed a cooperation agreement that will strengthen public sector unions in their joint action.

Briefing on US TISA proposal on E-commerce, Technology Transfer, Cross-border Data Flows and Net Neutrality

17 December 2014

A proposal by the US Trade Representative (USTR) dated 25 April 2014 to the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) negotiations has been leaked. It focuses on e-commerce, technology transfer, cross-border data flows and net neutrality.

On Migrants Day, PSI reiterates its commitment to decent work and social protection for all

15 December 2014
Photo: Gustave Deghilage - Creative Commons

Public Services International (PSI) marks December 18th – International Migrants Day, with continued vigour and commitment to fight for decent work and social protection for migrant workers.

Anti-corruption conference

20 February 2014

Around 300 civil servants and officials from different Colombian public control and auditing bodies are expected to for this conference on the fight against corruption in public administration.

PSI Sub-regional Advisory Committees for USA and Canada (SUBRACs) and Labor Rights Seminar

29 January 2014

Canadian and United States PSI affiliates gathered in Washington, D.C. on January 30, 2014 to discuss the attacks on labor rights in North America.

Event: Trade union rights in Guatemala

26 November 2013

Please join us to meet Luis Lara and Dora Regina, the leaders of PSI affiliate SNTSG (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Salud) and leaders of the Frente Nacional de Lucha : They have come to Brussels to meet the EU Parliament and European trade unionists. Dora and Luis will give a short talk, followed by a reception.

PSI/FES project meeting: Influencing the debates on public policy and the development agenda in the Caribbean

12 November 2013

This is the final workshop in the current 3-year co-operation project between PSI and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The project pursues the following specific objective: The international trade union movement has promoted the debate on an economically, ecologically and socially sustainable international economic order.

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.

PSI Interamericas LGBT Regional Committee Meeting

08 July 2013
LGBT meeting Brazil

This is the first meeting of the LGBT Committee of ISP-Americas held for the creation of a Committee as specified in “The Promotion of Equal opportunities for LGBT Workers in the Public Sector in Brazil and the Inter-Americas”. The meeting took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 27-28 June 2013.

Mission to Guatemala

25 June 2013

The global union federation Public Services International is leading an international delegation of trade union leaders to meet with Guatemala’s President and leading ministers on August 13-14, 2013.

World Water Day

22 March 2013