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North America

The Washington Office

Contact: Mark Langevin - Subregional Secretary

Address: 1200 18th Street NW #700 - Washington, D.C. 20036 - USA

Telephone: 202-744-0072

Email: mark.langevin@world-psi.org

New Trade Deal—TISA—Could Undermine Safety, Environmental, Workers’ Rights Regs

11 September 2014

AFL-CIO - The United States is currently negotiating a new International Services Agreement called the Trade in Services Agreement, or TISA. At the start of 2012, a number of World Trade Organization (WTO) member states, including the European Union, formed a group called the “Really Good Friends of Services” or RGF (and yes, that is really what they named themselves), with the purpose of drafting a trade agreement that would further liberalize trade and investment in services and expand regulatory disciplines on services sectors.

Strong Union Contract Ends Eight Week Work Stoppage

18 August 2014
Photo UWUA

Utility workers in Pittsburgh, USA, have ratified a new union contract that includes solid job protections for working families and ends an eight-week work stoppage by nearly 150 union workers at four Pennsylvania-American Water worksites throughout the Pittsburgh area.

American Water benefits slash illegal, says Labour Relations Board

09 August 2014
UWUA logo

On 31 July, the U.S. National Labor Relations Board declared that American Water illegally slashed healthcare and other benefits for 3,200 workers in nearly 70 different bargaining units in fifteen states across the U.S.

Water is a human right, and not just in Detroit

29 July 2014

The heat is on in Detroit, where the public water utility is cutting off water supply for non-payers. This new policy of water shutoffs, leaving thousands of families without access to running water, has sparked a mobilisation with global implications.

Harris v. Quinn: PSI stands with all unions in the USA in the fight for social justice

03 July 2014
Scenes showing home care workers and their clients outside the Harris v. Quinn press conference at Supreme Court - Washington, DC - Photo by David Sachs / SEIU

Public Services International (PSI) condemns the continuing attacks on trade union rights for public sector workers in the USA. The conservative majority of the US Supreme Court this week, in Harris v. Quinn, attacked the rights of home care workers and invites further legal challenges. This decision is the result of years of plotting, manipulating and massive financing from neo-conservative pressure groups. It demonstrates the growing corporate power in the USA, and confirms their strategy of undermining all trade unions.

PSAC activists to attend WorldPride Human Rights Conference

19 June 2014

From June 25-29, Toronto will be hosting the WorldPride Human Rights Conference and PSI affiliate the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) will be there. The conference will bring together GLBT activists from around the world, including many from countries where homosexuality is punishable by life in prison.

As a demonstration of the union’s commitment to queer and trans rights, PSAC will be sending a delegation of union members to participate. This will give the union’s GLBT activists the chance to share stories, gain inspiration, and participate in the global fight for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans human rights.

TISA- commodifying public services?

11 June 2014

In-depth news report from RCI Radio Canada International. The reporter Marc Montgomery had read about our TISA report in a German newspaper and gave writer Scott Sinclair a call.

PSI at the Inter-American Development Bank

21 May 2014

Since the 2013 meeting of the PSI Inter-American Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC), held in Washington, D.C., PSI leaders and staff have intensified efforts to engage the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to improve working conditions and strengthen labor rights in the region.

US Labor Relations Board complaint against FirstEnergy labour practices

05 May 2014

The U.S. National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint charging FirstEnergy Corp., its operating companies West Penn Power and Potomac Edison, and other FirstEnergy subsidiaries with a wide range of unfair labor practices during ongoing negotiations with the Utility Workers Union of America for a new labor agreement covering more than 700 workers throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.

10th FIQ Congress

11 April 2014
Mark Langevin at FIQ Congress

The FIQ (Fédération Interprofessionelle de la santé du Québec) held its 10th Congress from 7 to 10th April 2014 in Quebec city. 700 delegates from all over Quebec participated.

FirstEnergy ends Penelec lockout but continues unfair concession demands

09 April 2014
striking workers

The Utility Workers Union of America, a PSI affiliate, welcomed FirstEnergy’s decision to end its lockout of 142 utility workers at its Penelec subsidiary in central Pennsylvania, but criticized management for unilaterally implementing unfair cutbacks in customer service standards, employee working conditions, and benefits.

Canada: Union launches court action against anti-rights bill

07 April 2014

In Canada, last year's federal budget omnibus bill will now face its biggest challenge to date - a court challenge.

On 24 March 2014, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), a PSI affiliate, announced that they are mounting a legal challenge to Bill C-4. The bill gives the federal government exclusive power to decide what workers are essential, changes the terms under which workers would have to go to arbitration and redefines what "danger" is to an employee.

If you want to know about hospital quality, ask a nurse

18 March 2014
group of nurses

Recent research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing shows that nurses' assessment of hospital quality is invariably accurate.

Act now on EU-Canada trade negotiations!

03 March 2014
Canadian and European flags

The EPSU Executive Committee meeting in Brussels on 11-12 February 2014 raised a number of concerns regarding current trade negotiations, including the EU-US (TTIP) and EU-Canada (CETA) negotiations.

PSI North America Labor Rights Seminar

12 February 2014

PSI Canadian and United States affiliates gathered in Washington, D.C. on January 30, 2014 to discuss the attacks on labor rights in North America. Affiliates shared experiences and current strategies for pushing back on conservative political efforts to roll back rights to unionize and collectively bargain for millions of public sector workers. The discussion was framed by several presentations that analyzed the attacks and highlighted effective strategies for confronting them.