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Trade union rights news

All work has dignity, and all workers deserve to be treated with respect by their employers. Trade unions play a decisive role in improving working conditions, safety and wages – yet some governments and employers systematically abuse the right of workers to join existing unions or form new ones. PSI works actively to support the right of workers to free collective bargaining, and to help stop abuses when they occur.

In Honduras, mayor privatises waste sector and sacks 700 municipal workers

17 July 2018

Multinational company demands exclusive rights over street cleaning, waste collection, transport and disposal at the landfill site in San Pedro Sula, the country’s second biggest city. Many trade union representatives among those dismissed.

30 000 nurses on strike in New Zealand

12 July 2018

The 24-hour strike began on Thursday, and comes after months of negotiations between the government and nurses broke down on Wednesday. Nurses said they were overworked and underpaid, with unsafe working conditions leading to burnout and exhaustion.

PSI General Secretary visits affiliates in Japan

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, arrived in Japan on 22 June for a three-day visit, invited by PSI Japan Council (PSI-JC), the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in the country.

Public sector trade unions continue their struggle following rigged election in Turkey

06 July 2018

The Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) has published a press statement on the general elections which were held in Turkey on 24 June 2018. Despite rigged elections, KESK, together with other unions, will continue to struggle for labour, trade union and human rights.

Public service unions stand in solidarity with Nepalese civil servants’ rights at regional meeting in Kathmandu

29 June 2018

Public sector trade union representatives from across the Asia Pacific region met from 27-29 June in Kathmandu, Nepal. The meeting is part of the global union federation PSI’s five-year strategic planning to achieve a better world for all, one that places people over profit.

Asia-Pacific workers demand an end to savage attack on Exxon/UGL workers

28 June 2018

Exxon/UGL workers in Australia have been on strike for over a year now, taking a stand against an employer that has savagely attacked the rights of their workforce. PSI and BWI support these workers demanding that the Government #ChangeTheRules to make the behaviour of Exxon/UGL illegal.

The Janus ruling is an effort to manipulate the rights of working people

27 June 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a misguided attack on American public sector employees in its recent Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31 ruling, overturning legal precedent and long-established labor relations practice.

Ecuador: 3,000 public employees unfairly dismissed

05 December 2011

Several thousand public servants, mainly in the health and public administration sectors were recently arbitrarily dismissed leaving Ecuador’s health and central administration services in disarray. Many of those dismissed are members of PSI’s affiliates.

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.

No compromise on women’s rights Zero tolerance for violence against women and girls

19 February 2013

Together with other civil society partners, trade unions develop, implement and promote strategies aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls. This joint global union statement will be presented to the UNCSW57. For more information: http://unioncsw.world-psi.org

Emergency Resolution on basic labour rights of public service workers in Japan

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012, adopted the

Resolution 15: Against impunity in Guatemala

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012 

Resolution 39: Swaziland

30 November 2012

 The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 47: Global Trade Union Unity

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 19 : Defending and Protecting Labour Rights

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 18: Support for global campaign for rights at Deutsche Telekom

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 20 : Violation of trade union rights by the government of Guyana

30 November 2012

 The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),
meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Emergency resolution on Tunisia

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012, adopted the following emergency resolution

Emergency Resolution on the Democratic Republic of Congo

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012, adopted the following emergency resolution

Resolution 45: The struggle of the Ngöbe-Buglé people of Panama

30 November 2012

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI),

Resolution 49: Palestine and the Middle East

30 November 2012

 (Composite resolution based on Draft Resolutions No. 40, No. 41, No. 43
and the Amendment No. 15 to Resolution No. 40)

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.

Annual Report 2010

05 April 2011

In the face of widening cuts to public services and attacks on the rights of public sector workers around the world, leaders of private and public sector trade unions, municipal governments and civil society groups made the unprecedented joint commitment to work together to promote investment in quality public services backed by fair taxation policies as the key solution to the economic crisis, and the best way to build peaceful, equitable, democratic and environmentally-sustainable societies.