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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.

Europeans say no to austerity - in pictures

28 October 2013
European workers holding anti-austerity banners

Across Europe thousands of workers have taken part in a European action of EPSU to tell European Commission President Barroso and European Council President Van Rompuy that we have had it with austerity. Through pictures taken at their work places, trade unionists are showing the European Council and Commission that Europe's public workers and trade unions have a common message: We need an end to austerity and focus on alternatives such as investment in public services and infrastructure to help economies grow, provide quality care and tackle inequalities. The pictures are a virtual mass-demonstration and a vivid illustration that workers want a change in direction.

Mobilizing for action – public service workers aim for social and economic justice in Asia Pacific

18 October 2013
group photo

More than 100 leaders of unions affiliated to the global union federation Public Services International concluded meetings in Bangkok, Thailand this week by committing to take joint action to build the power and influence of public service workers in the Asia Pacific region.


The unions identified strategies to address a number of important issues, including fighting harmful free trade agreements, stopping privatization and related corruption in public services, ending violence against women, and advancing positive solutions through tax justice, stronger trade union rights, and supporting young workers and migrant workers in public services.

Precarious Work: Our Concern

17 October 2013
Workshop participants

PSI affiliate, the Government Services Employees Association (GSEA) of Mauritius, marked World Day for Decent Work by holding a one-day workshop around the theme “Precarious Work: Our Concern”.

Funding Quality Public Services – Tax Justice Campaign

17 October 2013

PSI affiliates in the Asia Pacific region are discussing how they can engage in specific tax justice campaign activities, following an interactive workshop as part of the AP Quality Public Services Forum in Bangkok on 16 October 2013.

Trade agreements and the impact on public services

17 October 2013
PSI Thai affiliates host the Quality Public Services Forum, 16-18 Oct in Bangkok

As part of the AP Quality Public Services Forum that took place in Bangkok from 16-18 October 2013, PSI affiliates from across the Asia Pacific region have committed to taking action to oppose various pending trade deals that threaten the common good.

Workers’ rights and municipal organising in Brazil

07 October 2013
Joao Gabriel Guimaraes Buonavita

Brazilian Joao Gabriel Guimaraes Buonavita represented the PSI-affiliated SINDSEP-SP union at the UCLG World Summit for Local and Regional Leaders in Rabat, Morocco, 1-4 October 2013.

“My participation at this conference was a great opportunity to meet Brazilian mayors and organisations,” he said.

Public services and decent work for all

07 October 2013
ITUC Poster for WDDW

On 7 October we celebrate the World Day for Decent Work. Public Services International (PSI) joins the international trade union movement in demanding decent work for all and an end to the continuous attacks on trade union rights around the world. We want jobs that provide decent salaries and social security with safe working conditions.

No democracy without transparency

04 October 2013

Public Services International General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli stressed the importance of transparency in public services as a means to fight corruption and to obtain resources to cover the needs of public service users, during forum discussions at the United Cities and Local Governments World Summit in Rabat, Morocco, 1-4 October.

Trade unions and sustainable development for intermediary cities

03 October 2013

Alain Le Saux, General Secretary of Metropolis (the world association for major metropolises), was the moderator for the session entitled Planning and financing intermediary cities during the World summit of local and regional leaders in Rabat, 1-4 October 2013.


During the session, mayors from cities with a population of around 50,000 presented their policy for sustainability, cooperation and innovation.

PSI at the World Summit for Local and Regional leaders

02 October 2013

Municipal and regional leaders from all over the world are in Rabat for the UCLG congress. In line with the PSI Congress recommendation to engage international and regional institutions to influence policy that affects public services, PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli will meet mayors and local government representatives to spread the word about Quality Public Services.

USA: PSI condemns forced shutdown

02 October 2013
AFGE members - AFGE photo

PSI has written to its affiliates in the United States to express solidarity and deep concern regarding the forced shutdown of the federal government. We strongly condemn the lock-out of the 800,000 federal workers who want to go to work to support the American people. PSI and all its members stand with its US affiliates in these difficult times. We trust that a political solution will be found that upholds the rights of American workers and access to quality public services for all.

Union photos to say no to austerity in Europe

24 September 2013
Logo No to cuts in public spending

The European Public Services Federation EPSU is organising a campaign to obtain 1,000 pictures of workers from across Europe showing their disagreement with austerity measures.

Call for a Robin Hood Tax Now

05 September 2013

You can help send a message to European Union leaders that this tiny tax on banks is vital. It will curb harmful speculation while raising billions to end inequality. When the Robin Hood Tax is successfully adopted in the EU, it will show other nations how a small financial transactions tax can make a big difference.

PSI stands with Detroit and public workers

29 August 2013
Background image is part of a mural by Diego Rivera called Detroit Industry, North Wall at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Detroit is the largest city to file for bankruptcy in United States history. But it is not the only city in economic crisis, and what happens in Detroit matters—it matters to AFSCME members who have dedicated their working lives to providing quality public services to the city and community, it matters to workers and retirees across the United States and around the world, it matters to all public sector workers who we depend upon to provide quality public services to citizens around the world. Detroit matters to all of us and we stand in solidarity with the workers and retirees of the city.

Young workers in Togo celebrate International Youth Day

22 August 2013
FENASSEP Young Workers' President with general secretaries

On Monday 12th August 2013, the National Youth Committee of the National Federation of Public Service Unions, Togo (Fédération nationale des syndicats des services publics - FENASSEP-TOGO), organised a demonstration to celebrate International Youth Day, bringing together about 200 young workers, who went through the streets of the capital Lomé, on motorbikes and in cars.