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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.

Massive Open Online Course on Fair Wage Strategies in a Global Economy

07 September 2017

The Global Labour University Online Academy on https://glu.iversity.org/ is pioneering cross-country online education for trade unionists, researchers and experts from the world of work. This course on Fair Wage Strategies in a Global Economy offers global networking, theory and practical skills for trade unionists on the economics of wages, collective bargaining, minimum wages and strategies to achieve fair wages.

Trade union movement rejects Turkey as a venue for the ILO European Regional Meeting

18 August 2017

Many trade unions have already clearly stated that they will not participate in the ILO European Regional Meeting in Istanbul in 2-5 October this year due to the worsening situation regarding freedom of speech and violation of fundamental labour and human rights in Turkey.

Trump and NAFTA “modernization”

16 August 2017

The ensuing trade deficits and manufacturing job losses cast a shadow over this trade deal and led all three major candidates for the U.S. presidency in 2016 to reject the TPP and promise to “fix” NAFTA. Trump is following through on his promise, but that is not the whole story.

Kerala nurses take on powerful private hospital industry

16 August 2017
Health worker in India prepares to vaccinate baby

On 20 July 2017, nurses from the southern Indian State of Kerala achieved an inspiring victory resulting in a substantial increase in wages. This was after a month long struggle, during which they stood resolute against all efforts by the private hospitals industry to break their will.

Workers' rights improve healthcare delivery

16 August 2017
Dr Salameh Abu Zooiter

Health care is a measure of human development. When we analyse the health situation in the Arab countries, it soon becomes clear that there are obstacles to obtaining quality healthcare for all. Those most in need of health services, the poor and disabled, do not receive the essential care they deserve.

Senate of the Philippines ratifies ILO Convention 151

07 August 2017
Photo: Camilo Rubiano

The Philippines is about to become the first Asian country to ratify the so called "Labour Relations Public Service Convention (1978)", which deals with the protection of the right to organise and procedures for determining conditions of employment in the Public Service. This victory comes after 7 years of work led by PSI affiliates and other public sector unions in the country.

Decent work requires decent public policies

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.

PSI General Secretary’s visit to Ecuador

27 June 2017

PSI’s General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, visited Ecuador between 17-23 June. Her stay was productive and the aims of the visit were met.

PSI North America: Principles for Nafta renegotiation

26 June 2017

PSI affiliates in the US and Canada comment on the NAFTA renegotiations submitted to the United States Trade Representative (USTR). "We need a new approach to trade that puts the interests of working people and the environment first. We need an economy that puts a high priority on jobs, living standards, sustainability, and labor rights." Click on the image below to read it in full.

Canada: CUPE education workers reach agreement with provincial government

20 June 2017

In what may be one of the largest settlements of its kind in Canada for employees who have suffered a workplace breach of Charter rights, CUPE education workers have reached an agreement on “remedy”, or financial compensation, with the Ontario government.

On the last day of the ILC, UN staff based in Geneva embarked on a work stoppage against 7,5% pay cut

16 June 2017

PSI affiliate United Nations Geneva Staff Coordinating Council called people to wear a red armband to show solidarity to all UN staff who engaged in a work stoppage on the last day of the ILC

Demonstration in support of Algeria

13 June 2017

JOIN THE DEMONSTRATION TUESDAY 13 JUNE 13:00. PLACE DES NATIONS, GENEVA!

Algerian independent trade unionists attending the International Labor Conference in Geneva this year, say it is high time to finally put pressure on the Algerian government to stop the brutal violations of the human rights of workers who seek to exercise their right to join and form independent trade unions.

Ride Ride Ride for Social Justice - Route of Shame 2017

13 June 2017
On 9th June 2017, Public Services International organized the Route of Shame for the fourth time, inviting global trade union leaders, local unions, international organisations, NGOs and the people of Geneva to participate in a ride for social justice, trade union rights and the right to strike for all workers.

Route of Shame 2017

09 June 2017

Join PSI and global trade union leaders on 9 June for the “Route of Shame” bicycle ride, calling for social justice at target embassies and missions in Geneva.

PSI addresses the Committee for Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work at the ILC

06 June 2017
Junéia Batista, PSI WOC Chair

The International Labour Conference has taken off with PSI and its affiliates taking an active part, including in the Committee for Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, where Juneia Batista, PSI WOC Chair and Sandra Vermuyten, PSI Head of Campaigns, are working with a large group of affiliates.

Annual Report 2009

03 April 2010

Environmental and social sustainability provided the primary theme for PSI’s work in 2009. Leading into the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December, trade unions and civil society allies worked hard to ensure that world leaders would agree on an ambitious plan to reduce carbon emissions. Alas, this dream did not become reality. But we are committed to continuing this struggle and achieving real results.

Annual Report 2008

03 April 2009

Looking back at 2008 the one word that comes to mind is CHANGE. We saw a dramatic change in the global economy, it was the keyword in the US election and we initiated changes in PSI.

It’s time to end violence against women

30 October 2008
End Violence against women (cover)

“Violence against women means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”. United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, Article 1

Closing the Gender Gap

31 January 2005

This guide was first developed by the Public Services International Women's Education and Organising Project in the Andean Region to provide practical support for its affiliated unions in the Andean countries to progress towards pay equity for women. It sets out in detail a method for designing and then implementing a programme of job evaluation, with the purpose of revaluing, without gender bias, the work effected within an organisation or company.