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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.

JICHIRO supports Myanmar public sector unions sharing its experience and impact analysis of the privatization of municipal public services in Japan

29 May 2017
Nurses Congress

In coordination and cooperation with its national center JTUC-RENGO, the ALL-Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers Union (JICHIRO), affiliated to PSI, has been supporting the democratic transition process in Myanmar by carrying out capacity building activities with Burmese trade unions especially in the public service sector.

The Mexico City Public Service Workers’ Union wins historic provisions in the defence of labour rights and public services in the federal capital’s constitution

26 May 2017
City of Mexico

On 5 February 2017, the government of Mexico City, one of the world’s largest and most populous cities and capital of the Federal State of Mexico, promulgated its first constitution, which will come into force on 17 September 2018.

What is in and what is not for workers in the final text of the New Urban Agenda: a trade union assessment of the outcome document of Habitat III

26 May 2017

In October 2016, over 30,000 representatives of national, regional and local governments, trade unions, business, academia, and civil society gathered in Quito, Ecuador, for the Habitat III Conference (HIII), where state representatives adopted the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the UN guidelines meant to serve as a reference for urbanization policies for the next 20 years.

The Australian Services Union (ASU) and other unions win a just transition deal for ENGIE Hazelwood workers with the State of Victoria and local energy employers

22 May 2017

On May 1st the Government of the Australian State of Victoria, announced the signature of the Latrobe Valley Worker Transfer Scheme Partnership Agreement, a landmark agreement on a just employment transition for workers in the energy sector moving from carbon-intensive towards low-carbon and renewable power generation.

Local and regional government trade unions of Colombia negotiate tripartite public policy agreement on decent work in the municipality of Bello

13 May 2017

In April 2017, the Municipality of Bello (Antioquia), in Colombia, adopted a local tripartite agreement on decent work. The National Union of State Workers (SINTRAESTATALES), affiliated to PSI, has been promoting and negotiating this process since 2012.

Municipal workers in the Province of Buenos Aires and their trade unions take action to seek compliance with the Paritaria Act on collective bargaining in local and regional government

12 May 2017

Members of the Confederación de Trabajadores Municipales de la República de Argentina (CTM), affiliated to the PSI, took action in 2016 and again in 2017, calling on mayors to comply with Provincial Act 14.656 of 2015 on Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining for local government  workers in Buenos Aires province, generally known as the Paritaria Act.

Local government unions in Colombia form a national network and improve their collective bargaining skills

11 May 2017

The Local Government Workers of Colombia Conference, in Medellin, 19-20 April 2017 culminated in the founding of the National Network of Local and Regional Government Workers.

PSI supports NULGE in fight for Nigerian Local Government autonomy

04 May 2017

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has kick-started a series of nationwide protests to build support for local government autonomy. The union has held rallies in each of the six geo-political zones across Nigeria and on Thursday 27 April held the final national rally in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where PSI attended to show international solidarity.

PSI Communications team launches “One Day” a PSI video series on public service workers starting with firefighters, child care and waste collection workers

21 April 2017
Rubbish collectors in Siena

The PSI Communications team has started a series of videos on the everyday work and dedication of public sector workers and the value they bring to their communities. The PSI team will visit about 10 countries in 5 continents and cover professions from the whole PSI affiliate spectrum facilitated by participating affiliates and PSI staff where possible. The first filming took place in Rome and Siena, Italy, and was facilitated by PSI affiliate CGIL Funzione Pubblica (CGIL-FP).

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.

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

21 March 2017

This groundbreaking conference, organised by PSI with the support of ILO/ACTRAV and ILO/GED, marked the beginning of a new area of collaboration. PSI in partnership with the ILO explored the issue of workers with disabilities with a special focus on the role of the public sector and public services.

Waste collection in Canada: When private goes public – community wins

28 February 2017
Conception Bay South garbage collection

Five years ago, the town of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, was facing problems with its privatized solid waste collection. Complaints were on the rise, and costs were headed in the same direction. In 2011, the town council voted to bring the service in house, ending 30 years of contracting-out.

Indian High Court rules community health volunteers are municipal employees

31 January 2017
Some of the 4000 women affected by the rule

After 14 years of struggle, 4,000 women health volunteers in Mumbai have been granted the status of municipal employees. They will now be covered for pension benefits and insurance.

Municipal workers’ unions in Ecuador back on track to unity and a role in local development policies

05 December 2016

The International Meeting of Municipal Trade Unions, held in Quito on 22 October 2016 and sponsored by the PSI through its IMPACT project in Ecuador, provided an opportunity for municipal trade union representatives that participated in PSI’s international delegation to Habitat III to meet representatives of Ecuadorian municipal trade unions and professional organisations.

Habitat III’s New Urban Agenda will not deliver unless it creates decent work and fully includes trade unions and workers

21 November 2016
Habitat III

Over 70 people attended Habitat III’s Trade Union and Workers Roundtable held on 18 October 2016 by a joint international trade union and allies delegation headed by Public Services International (PSI) and Building and Woodworkers International (BWI).