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Local and Regional Government/Municipal sector

Local and regional governments (LRG)/municipal sector workers run essential services in cities, metropolitan areas and territories servicing millions of people and communities every day. Our members work in public administrations; public utilities such as water and sanitation, electricity, and solid waste. They operate public transport and maintain public spaces; work in social, culture and education services such as libraries, museums, kindergartens, schools and universities. They are health and social services workers. Firefighters, emergency, medical first responders and municipal police are also among LRG/municipal workers. PSI defends and promotes the union and labour rights of LRG/municipal workers and advocates their decent working and living conditions so that they can sustainably deliver accessible, quality public services to the local communities and territories they serve and successfully confront the many challenges posed by rapid urbanization and globalization. Join the discussion on PSI's LRG/Municipal Workers Facebook Group.

Local government officers and members of the CFDT Interco trade union embark on a ground-breaking initiative to promote responsible public procurement in the Bordeaux Metropolitan Region

13 June 2019
Representatives of the CFDT Interco trade union teams, all local government officers involved in projects to promote sustainable public procurement (Bordeaux, Dijon, Paris), attended a conference on the union’s role in this issue, Bourse du Travail, Paris 12 March 2019.

Since the end of 2016, local government officers and members of the CFDT Interco 33 trade union branch at the Bordeaux Metropolitan Region Local Authority [1] have been working on a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the social and environmental impact of public procurement with the aim of promoting sustainability and contributing directly to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Two thousand Tunisian municipal cleaners demand safe working conditions and statutory recognition for their profession

13 May 2019

Two thousand municipal workers from Tunisia’s waste management services gathered on April 28th, World Day for Safety and Health at Work, to demand safe and healthy working conditions, adequate personal protective equipment for all, and the recognition of their professional status at national level.

KPTU wins termination of contract for Seoul metro Line 9

30 January 2019

Halfway through a 10-year deal, South Korea’s capital local government decides to put an end to its contract with French private operators RATP Dev and Transdev after negotiations over renewed contract conditions failed. The announcement, on 18 January, came shortly after members of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU), a PSI and ITF affiliate, made public their intention to go on strike.

Cleaners in public buildings in Geneva want to return to the public sector

11 December 2018

Several years ago, the Geneva office in charge of public buildings in the Canton took the decision to contract out the cleaning work in the buildings to private companies. This has resulted in a huge loss for the workers, and they are campaigning for the cleaning to return to the public sector.

Union strategies to bring public services back in-house

04 December 2018

PSI Global Labour Remunicipalisation workshop is taking place at the ILO in Geneva from 4-5 December. Trade union affiliates from around the world are showcasing local experiences of remunicipalisation and giving union strategies to bring public services back in-house.

PSI delegation brings the voice of public service workers to African mayors’ and local governments’ summit for the first time

30 November 2018
The PSI delegation at Africities2018: from the right, PSI Sub-regional Secretary for English-speaking Africa Everline Aketch (PSI Nairobi); PSI Tax and Trade Coordinator Daniel Oberko (PSI Lomé), Fatou Diouf (SATSE Senegal) and Hon. Roba Duba (General Secretary KCGWU Kenya)

A PSI African and Arab Countries’ trade union delegation took part for the first time in AFRICITIES 2018, the eighth edition of the largest regional mayors' and local authorities gathering that took place in Marrakech, Morocco, on 20-24 November 2018. Organized by the African chapter of the United Cities and Local Government (UCLG), it was held under the theme of “The transition to sustainable cities and territories: the role of local and subnational governments of Africa”.

PSI Global Labour Remunicipalisation Workshop (Geneva)

30 November 2018

This workshop on “Building union strategies to bring public services back in-house” is open to PSI trade union representatives with a direct experience of remunicipalising public services and/or with an interest in peer learning about these processes with a view to engage and drive remunicipalisation processes in the future.

31 October: UN World Cities Day – “Stop precarious work in local public services!”

30 October 2018

On UN World Cities Day 2018, PSI calls the United Nations, governments and mayors to halt the widespread use of precarious work in local and regional government services that hurts local communities, undermines the quality and accessibility of local public services, and stands in the way of achieving sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities (SDG11).

World Cities Day 2017: Municipal workers make cities happen!

25 October 2017

PSI has chosen 31 October – UN “World Cities Day” - to launch a global visual campaign aimed at raising awareness about the work of municipal public service professionals with a view to increasing their visibility and presenting a positive perception of the many essential public services they deliver every day to cities and metropolitan areas.

Municipal solid waste management services in Africa and the Arab countries

05 April 2019

This is the second of a series of reports, part of a research project on global waste services, that PSI commissioned to develop its work on the municipal waste sector.

Declaration of the African Municipal and Local Government Union Network (AMALGUN) - Nairobi 2018

30 October 2018

The “Nairobi AMALGUN Declaration” is the policy outcome adopted by the African Municipal and Local Government Union Network (AMALGUN) on occasion of the PSI Local and Regional Government (LRG)/Municipal Workshop held for the English-speaking Africa Sub-Region on 23-24/10/2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Policy documents adopted by the English-speaking Africa municipal waste sector – Nairobi 2018

29 October 2018

The “Call to Public Authorities” and the “Plan of Action” represent the policy document and action roadmap adopted by the PSI Municipal Waste Workers Network for English-speaking Africa on occasion of the Municipal Waste Services Workshop held for the Sub-Region on 25-26/10/2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.

To ensure sustainable waste services, we must value waste workers and make sure they are in decent jobs

09 July 2018

Extract from the Civil Society Report "Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018" - the new global report assesses obstacles and contradictions in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Report: Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018

09 July 2018

PSI is a partner of the Reflection Group on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and together with other civil society organizations and networks has produced the annual Spotlight Report assessing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the structural obstacles in its realization.

Municipal solid waste management services in Latin America

13 March 2018

This report is the first of a series of reports which are part of a research project on global waste services which PSI has commissioned to inform its work to improve working conditions in the waste sector. This report served as background research for the first meeting of the PSI Latin America, Central America and Mexican affiliates with membership in municipal waste services that tool place in Bogotá, Colombia on 28-29 July 2017.

Posters: World Cities Day 2017

25 October 2017

The posters for World Cities Day 2017 are available for download in English, French and Spanish.

Click directly on the poster you wish to download for a high resolution PDF for printing.

LRG/Municipal workers memes

20 July 2017

Download PSI's memes for LRG/Municipal sector workers - use them to promote and support the invaluable work of these PSI members !!

Four critical steps to operationalize the New Urban Agenda’s transformative commitment to decent work and inclusive and sustainable cities

12 July 2017

Extract from the Civil Society Report "Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2017" -the new global report assesses how privatization and corporate capture have become obstacles to progress under the 2030 Agenda.

Spotlight Report: "Reclaiming Policies for the Public"

07 July 2017

Report by the Civil Society Reflection Group on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Reclaiming Public Services: How cities and citizens are turning back privatisation

26 June 2017

Reclaiming Public Services is vital reading for anyone interested in the future of local, democratic services like energy, water and health care. This is an in-depth world tour of new initiatives in public ownership and the variety of approaches to deprivatisation.

Global PSI LRG/Municipal Workers’ Network Charter

04 April 2017

The Global PSI Local and Regional Government (LRG)/Municipal Workers’ Network Charter is available for download in English, French, Spanish, Japanese and Arabic.

PSI research paper explores options for sustainable and fair local and regional government funding

03 April 2017

PSI has just published a research briefing note that reviews options for local and regional governments (LRGs) to sustainably and progressively fund quality public services for local communities and tackle the challenges posed by rapid urbanization and increasing demands placed upon LRGs  in a context of shrinking resources, corporate tax avoidance and rising city and territory-based tax competition. The brief summarizes the related discussion paper, which is open for comments and contributions till the end of May 2017.

Report: The Role of Public Service Trade Unions in achieving Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities

21 March 2017

PSI, with ILO/ACTRAV and ILO/GED support, held a meeting 8-9 of December 2016, on "The Role of Public Service Trade Unions in achieving Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities" in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting built on a survey conducted by PSI and ILO of PSI affiliates’ initiatives on disability inclusion, and on ILO research giving a global overview of trade unions actions on disability inclusion.

Presentations: The Role of Public Service Trade Unions in achieving Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities

21 March 2017

These presentations were made at the PSI meeting held 8-9 December 2016 in Geneva, Switzerland with ACTRAV and GED support. The meeting builds on a survey conducted by PSI and ILO of PSI affiliates’ initiatives on disability inclusion, and on ILO research giving a global overview of trade unions actions on disability inclusion.

PSI Global Labour Remunicipalisation Workshop (Geneva)

30 November 2018

This workshop on “Building union strategies to bring public services back in-house” is open to PSI trade union representatives with a direct experience of remunicipalising public services and/or with an interest in peer learning about these processes with a view to engage and drive remunicipalisation processes in the future.

Conversation with the authors of Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018 (New York)

03 July 2018

The authors of the Spotlight Report 2018 Exploring new policy pathways: How to overcome obstacles and contradictions in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda will present key findings and recommendations to participants for discussion.

Trade Unions and Workers roundtable (Malaysia)

05 February 2018

During the 9th session of the World Urban Forum, PSI together with UCLG, ILO, BWI, Action Aid and WIEGO will be holding a stakeholders’ roundtable on Trade unions and workers. This UNHabitat event will take place on 11 February from 14h30 to 16h30.

Collective Bargaining in the Municipal Public Sector

06 June 2017

PSI is jointly organising a panel debate with the Municipal Workers’ Confederation of Argentina (CTM) and the Confederation of Municipal Workers of the Americas (CONTRAM-ISP AMERICAS) on the issue of Collective Bargaining in the Municipal Public sector focusing on the experiences and challenges from the Province of Buenos Aires and specifically on Act 14656 on Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining.

Event: The Role of Public Service Trade Unions in achieving Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities

07 November 2016

Achieving Decent Work for All, and realising the Sustainable Development Goals, requires focussed work to include persons with disabilities. This PSI meeting, with the support of ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) and the Gender, Equality and Diversity branch (GED), is an opportunity to develop knowledge, awareness and advocacy relevant for a range of actors in their governance, actions and aims.

PSI calls for an inclusive new urban agenda at HIII

13 October 2016
HIII

An international delegation of PSI affiliates and staff will participate in Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development to take place in Quito, Ecuador, from 17 – 20 October 2016. The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development is an exceptional event that occurs every 20 years. Habitat II took place in Istanbul in 1996 and delivered at the time the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements. Habitat III is expected to deliver a new document, the New Urban Agenda.

Workshop: Smart cities and challenges of urbanisation (India)

13 October 2016

During the People’s Forum on BRICS on 13-14 October, PSI is co-organising a workshop called “Smart cities and challenges of urbanisation” together with Peoples Front against IFIs, NHF and NAPM. PSI’s affiliated union representatives will be intervening in the workshop that will be held in Goa, India.

Global local and regional government (LRG) sector workers' network meeting (Brussels)

16 September 2016
Municipal Services

PSI is pleased to convene the first PSI Global Local and Regional Government Workers’ Network Meeting that will be held on 19 September 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. This will be followed by the EPSU Local and Regional Government Standing Committee on 20 September 2016, enabling PSI affiliates from other regions to take part as observers. Both events will take place in Room B at the International Trade Union House (ITUH), 5, Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 1210 Brussels, Belgium from 8:30 to 18:00.

PrepCom3 on Habitat III

20 July 2016
PSI side event at PrepCom3

On 26 July, during the third session of the Preparatory Committee of the Habitat III Conference, PSI is organising with ICRICT and PSIRU a side event called “Financing and investing in urban public services: The key to inclusive cities”. PrepCom3 will be held in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 25-27 July at the Convention and Exhibition Hall Grand City Convex Surabaya.

PSI/EPSU-ILO Roundtable on Labour Migration and Trade Union Rights

23 November 2015

The PSI/EPSU-ILO Roundtable on Labour Migration and Trade Union Rights is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia on 24-25 November. This meeting will be held in English, Russian and Armenian with the participation of PSI/EPSU affiliates, ILO Moscow ACTRAV and invited guests, experts and PSI staff.

Uruguay celebrates ten years of constitutional reform in defence of water

10 October 2014
Por el agua

On 9 October, the people of Uruguay celebrated the tenth anniversary of the victorious referendum in defence of water that forced a change to the constitution. Amendments to the constitution recognised water as a basic human right and made it impossible to privatise water resources and services.

Putting public in public services: Research, action and equity in the Global South

18 March 2014
Municiapl Serivces Project logo

The international conference Putting public in public services: Research, action and equity in the Global South, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 13-16 April 2014, will bring together progressive academics and NGOs who work closely with PSI and our affiliates on a range of public services.

UCLG World summit of local and regional leaders

11 September 2013

The  second UCLG World Summit of local and regional leaders will be held in Rabat, Morocco, 1-4 October 2013. This event coincides with the one hundredth anniversary of the international municipal movement, and is an opportunity for sharing and exchange between Africa and the rest of the world. The Congress in Rabat will allow participants to take part in the work that will be launched on the future of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Post-2015 and the definition of a new world urban agenda in the framework of Habitat III in 2016.

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.

Videos: Interviews with LRG/Municipal workers

27 April 2017

Watch this series of video interviews of trade unions leaders and representatives members of the PSI Global Municipal Workers Network explaining the challenges they face in their countries.

Photos: PSI/EPSU Global Municipal Workers' Network Meeting

22 September 2016

Over 60 Municipal trade unionists from all over the world gathered in Brussels on 19 September 2016 for the PSI Global Local and Regional Government (Municipal) Workers Union Network gathered to identify joint priorities and develop global strategies for the municipal work ahead of the PSI Congress next year. An exciting, promising start for a strong global PSI Municipal sector.

Statement by Rosa Pavanelli at Informal Stakeholder Consultations

06 June 2016

PSI will be taking part in the Informal Stakeholder Consultations scheduled at the UN Headquarters in New York on 6-7 June, where it will deliver the following statement by General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli that highlights the shortcomings of the Zero Draft and makes constructive proposals for improvement.

Rosa Pavanelli at the 3rd Local Development Forum, Turin, Italy, October 2015

27 October 2015

Rosa Pavanelli joined a panel of speakers at the 3rd Local Development forum held in Turin, Italy, on 14 October 2015, where she joined UCLG, ILO, UNDP, Caritas, Slowfood, and several local government and municipalities representatives. In this video by Meeting Point SSTC, Rosa denounces privatisation and explains how municipal workers, via their trade unions, can support each other across borders.

Video: Social dialogue and cooperation at the municipal level pays off - the Norwegian experience

31 August 2015

PSI affiliate the Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees (Fagforbundet) has produced a new video on how decent work and tripartite cooperation created the foundation for the Norwegian welfare state.

Video: Water and power: are public services still public?

10 February 2015

This new video by the Municipal Services Project examines the question of corporatisation and how it can affect public services, specifically in the energy and water sectors.

Photos: Strike in India - Feb 2013

22 February 2013

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.