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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.

Public service workers call for recognition and respect in the wake of Hurricane Sandy

14 March 2013
Celeste Kirkland, of Transit Workers’ Union Local 100, talking at the meeting

Superstorm Sandy left New York City scrambling to provide relief for the many people affected by the hurricane, which swept through in the late autumn of 2012. Fifty-five people were killed, and flooding damaged many homes and businesses. As with other disasters, responsibility for response to the tragedy fell to the hands of frontline public service workers. On Thursday 7 March 2013, workers from across the city came together to reflect on their professional experiences and to chart a common course moving forward in terms of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

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.

Massive strike in India

22 February 2013
India - HMS union on strike

An estimated 100 million workers took to the streets for a two-day strike organised by national trade union centres in India. PSI affiliated unions representing workers in the electricity, defense, water and municipal sectors were there in force.

Russia: A power engineer must not be poor

18 February 2013
November demonstrations in Moscow

Russian energy workers are in discussion with their employers concerning wages and working conditions. They request that PSI and its affiliates send messages of support and solidarity.

Vote for the changes that would make the most difference to your world

04 February 2013

The United Nations and partners want to hear from you! My World is a global survey asking you to choose your priorities for a better world. Results will be shared with world leaders in setting the next global development agenda.

Australia: Government does not support electricity privatisation

14 December 2012

The Australian Government published their Energy White Paper in early November. In a clarifying letter to the Australian Services Union, the Prime Minister confirms that she does not support privatisation of electricity.

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.

PSI’s 29th World Congress in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012

22 November 2012

As part of its World Congress events, PSI is holding a series of pre-congress meetings on key issues.

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.

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.

UK: Hundreds of thousands call for A Future that Works

22 October 2012
Green shoes

In the streets of London, Glasgow and Belfast hundreds of thousands of people took part in the march for A Future that Works on October 20.

EU Commission forces crisis-hit countries to privatise water

17 October 2012
shower at sunset

The European Commission is deliberately promoting privatization of water services as one of the conditions being imposed as part of bailouts, it acknowledges in a letter to civil society groups.

Norway: Utility workers on strike

03 October 2012

Utility workers in Norway have been on strike since mediation broke down last week. Crucial to the breakdown was the employers' proposals to change the workers' pension plan.

Actions and events against austerity all over Europe

21 September 2012

Major protests against austerity measures are taking place in many European countries.We give you the list of upcoming events:

Nigeria: Power Minister resigned

02 September 2012

Barth Nnaji, Nigeria’s minister of Power resigned his appointment on August 28, but there were hints within labour circles that the minister may have been forced to quit under pressure.

Though it was not exactly clear why he resigned suddenly, it is an open secret that  the Ministry had been at loggerheads with the workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, whose unions have had running battles with the minister.