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Quality Public Services

In co-operation with other global federations of unions, PSI has launched the Quality Public Services – Action Now! campaign. This campaign unites public and private sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups in advancing quality public services as the best means of building equitable, sustainable, peaceful and democratic societies. We believe investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies is a key solution to the economic crisis.

Impact of the economic crisis and austerity measures on women

04 July 2012

Women are losing jobs in both the private and public sectors, which has an immediate effect on household income but a much longer term effect on the role of women in the labour force.

California: 3,500 nurses on strike

03 July 2012
Nurse

Nurses in seven Californian hospitals will be on strike on July 3rd, protesting against concession demands that they say will undermine patient care protections as well as health and living standards for the nurses. The strike will affect 3,500 nurses and also several hundred respiratory, X-ray, and other technicians.

Interview with Peter Waldorff on the European finance crisis' influence on trade unions and on the public sector

03 July 2012
Peter Waldorff

PSI General Secretary Peter Waldorff gives an interview on the European finance crisis' influence on trade unions and on the public sector.

Public services urgently need an alternative to austerity

02 July 2012
Assisting nurse with trolley

The impact of austerity on public services has been monitored in a series of research reports. - Our members across Europe are facing a major struggle to defend their jobs and maintain the vital services that they provide, says EPSU general secretary.

Spain: Action day against cuts in public sector

27 June 2012
Rally in Spain

Severe budget cuts are undermining and theatening our welfare state, says Spanish trade unions. Today, June 28., they call for action all over the country.

President of Cambodian union on hunger strike

25 June 2012

The president of PSI-affiliated union in Cambodia on hunger strike on World Public Services Day.

Our challenge for World Public Services Day and beyond: Commemorate 23 June 2012 with action!

18 June 2012

This is a time of both crisis and opportunity.
The members of Public Services International affiliate unions see it every day. You are not alone. The danger is worldwide – ferocious attacks on wages, working conditions, pensions, public service unions, and the vital services we provide to our communities.
In the day-to-day struggle to defend public services and the rights of union members, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we also have an unprecedented opportunity.

A Robin Hood Tax for a sustainable world

15 June 2012
Robin Hood tax logo

Uma Taxa Robin Hood por um mundo sustentável

 

Public Services International is co-hosting this event in Rio on Tuesday, 19th June 2012.

Tuesday 19 June / Terça-feira 19 de Junho / Martes 19 de Junio

9h30-11h30 Workshop! Oficina! Taller!
People’s Summit / Cúpula dos Povos  
Sindicato do Bancarios
Avenida Presidente Vargas 502
21st Andar/Floor Auditorio, Centro Rio de Janeiro

Global Week of Action for fair taxation

23 May 2012
Demonstration

This week unions and activists in more than 30 countries are campaigning in support of a financial transactions tax and quality public services.

May Day 2012 – the fight for public services

01 May 2012
Photo May Day demonstration Seattle 2011

Please read and circulate PSI's May Day message, below. We also ask affiliates to send May Day messages of solidarity to PSI and other affiliates through PSI Facebook and Twitter. Please tag tweets and Flickr photos using the hashtag #PSIMayDay.

US unions get ready for the 99% Spring

11 April 2012
Trade unionists demonstrate in United States

Trade unions and other progressive groups in the US are preparing 99% Spring training sessions in the run-up to 17 April, Tax Day, learning how to take back the economy from the 1%.

 

Read more on the AFL-CIO website

The 99% Spring

Spain: unions call for general strike over labour laws

23 March 2012
UGT and CC.OO banners

Spain's two main unions, both PSI affiliates, have called for a general strike on 29 March to protest against changes to labour laws and in defence of public services ahead of the presentation of the 2012 budget and its accompanying austerity measures.

Implementing the Right to Water in the green economy

21 March 2012
Demonstration at the alternative water forum

Water Justice activists, including PSI unions, have successfully pushed the human right to water and sanitation (RTW) onto the global agenda. The UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292 of 2010 has set the standard for government obligations in ensuring universal access. Many national campaigns insist that governments adopt RTW and implement universal access to water and sanitation. Unions are working with a broad range of allies at global, regional, national and local levels.

PSI solidarity with Reclaim Wisconsin

12 March 2012

PSI's Communicators’ Action Network/ QPS campaign and solidarity week in Wisconsin was absolutely amazing!  Over 15 communicators and union journalists from PSI, CUPE, CSQ, PSAC, SEIU National (DC), AFL-CIO National, plus Wisconsin affiliates and community groups worked together in an outstanding team effort. Also attending were unionleaders from NUPGE, PSAC, and New South Wales Nurses Association; and  many PSI affiliates sent letters of support and solidarity.

Pakistan: Mobilisation against privatisation of the electricity sector

20 December 2011

Public Services International sent a letter to Pakistani trade unions on 20 December 2011 strongly supporting the national mobilisation against privatisation of the electricity sector. Experience shows that electricity privatisation is a disaster for almost all involved, except perhaps a very few who manage to squeeze profits from rising tariffs, reduced wages, increased outsourcing and precarious labour, and other unethical practices.

Tags: 
Quality public services
Energy
Privatisation
Electricity