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Energy

Reliable electricity improves lives and supports economic development. Just ask anyone who gathers wood to cook. Private corporations – motivated by profit – have frequently failed to expand electrical services to those who need it most. They also charge all the market will bear. Public enterprises – motivated by serving the public interest – are better placed to provide clean, affordable energy.

Privatisation provides no dividends for the poor

16 January 2014
Pylons

Privatisation has become the final resort of governments that need funds but are afraid to tax the wealthy and prevent tax evasion by big businesses. This article by Professor Sharon Beder was published in the Brisbane Times on 10 January 2014.

Tunisian unions block privatisation of renewable energy

13 January 2014
Mansour Cherni, left, takes the floor

Energy trade unions in Tunisia recently made the case for sustainable public renewable energy and managed to block government privatisation plans.

Nigeria power sector privatisation: unionists sacked

08 January 2014

Trade union officials working for the Nigerian power sector have been sacked as part of the privatisation plans of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

FirstEnergy locks out utility workers in US

28 November 2013
Demonstrators holding banners, one saying "I want to work"

FirstEnergy Corp. – one of the largest electric power corporations in the United States – locked out 150 members of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) in the early morning hours of November 25, three days before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

Unions and civil society walk out on UN climate talks in Poland

26 November 2013
Group demonstration at COP13

Trade union and civil society representatives at COP 13, the UN climate talks in Warsaw, walked out of the meeting on 21 November in protest of government and corporate inaction.

PSI signs Global Framework Agreement to improve workers’ rights and representation with Enel

25 June 2013
Rosa Pavanelli PSI General Secretary signs the agreement

On 14 June 2013 in Rome, Italy, the global unions Public Services International and IndustriALL signed a Global Framework Agreement with the multinational enterprise Enel, which operates in more than 40 countries.

Paraguay: No to the privatisation of the energy sector

24 June 2013
Paraguay: No to the privatisation of the energy sector

Following actions from PSI affiliate SITRANDE (Sindicato de Trabajadores de la ANDE), including demonstrations in Asuncion uniting workers from all over the country, and strong support from PSI, the parliament of Paraguay decided to postpone on Tuesday 18 June any decision on the regulatory system of electricity.