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Multinationals

Globalisation has given rise to extraordinarily large and powerful multinational enterprises (MNEs). Many are active in sectors providing essential public services, including water and sanitation, health and social services, energy, waste collection and treatment. Some have earnings that dwarf some national economies. MNEs scan the world for natural resources, tax havens, the lowest environmental standards, and the lowest wages. They relentlessly assert their rights to profit in international institutions, tax and trade agreements.

Within this context, Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) negotiated between global trade union federations and multinational enterprises are a tool for trade unions with direct membership in such companies to build power, assert their members’ rights and conditions, resolve outstanding conflicts, improve social dialogue and working conditions. GFAs set a threshold of human and labour rights and conditions beyond minimum national and international standards that signatory MNEs commit to abide by. They also help connect and build solidarity among trade unions and workers of the same MNEs across national boundaries.

PSI has negotiated three GFAs with multinational corporations active in the energy sector: these are EDF Group, ENGIE (formerly GDF-Suez) and ENEL, plus a specific agreement with ENGIE (formerly GDF-Suez) on occupational safety and health (OSH).

PSI Congress Resolutions

12 March 2013

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012. The resolutions are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Japanese and Russian.

Rosa Pavanelli elected to lead Public Services International

28 November 2012

Italian trade unionist Rosa Pavanelli has been elected as the new leader of the global union federation Public Services International, representing 20 million public service workers in 150 countries. Pavanelli says her vision is founded on “giving PSI new energy, and standing up for justice, solidarity, equality, a fairer and more sustainable world.”

The leadership vote took place during PSI’s 29th World Congress in Durban, South Africa (27-30 November 2012). Danish trade unionist Peter Waldorff had sought re-election as general secretary following one term in office.

Tunisia: Trade unions organise national campaign against fracking

14 November 2012

The Tunisian union UGTT is coordinating a national campaign against fracking as the government is about to sign a deal with Shell.

Wall Street's thirst for water

12 November 2012

A global water market will push the price of food far beyond the peaks of the past five years, according to an article in Nature magazine.

November 14: Day of action and solidarity for a Social Compact for Europe

08 November 2012

November 14 will be a day of action and solidarity all over Europe. Get the overview of the national actions taking place.

Germany: EU Commissioner suggests power transmission being nationalised

06 November 2012
Man speaking into a microphone

State ownership will provide a faster and more uniform expansion of the transmission networks, says German EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger.

Canada-EU trade talks on water privatisation and Internet restrictions

25 October 2012
Canadian maple leaf surrounded by EU stars

The Trade Justice Network and Réseau québécois sur l'intégration continentale (RQIC) co-hosted a media teleconference on parts of the Canada-EU trade deal that have become very controversial in Europe.