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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.

Liberian unions demonstrate in Monrovia to demand their rights

07 June 2016
Protestors in Liberia present their demands

PSI has been campaigning for several months for the reinstatement of Liberian union leaders George Poe Williams and Joseph Tamba after their dismissal in February 2014.

Moroccan unionists defend their pensions

06 June 2016
Moroccan women demonstrating for pension rights

PSI affiliate from the health sector in Morocco has informed us of the action carried out by the Union Marocaine du Travail in protest against the government’s planned policy to reduce retirement benefits.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association for disenfranchised workers

25 May 2016
construction worker

In his upcoming report to the UN General Assembly to be presented in October 2016, the Special Rapporteur will examine the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (FOAA) for disenfranchised workers.

Route of Shame 2016: Walk for social justice!

25 May 2016

PSI and global trade unionists walked for social justice in Geneva. Around the world, populist politicians are raising the flag of racism and xenophobia to hide the fact that they represent the interests of the few, not the many. PSI calls for global solidarity with refugees and the respect of their human rights.

Tunisia : General strike due to negotiations deadlock

20 May 2016
Union protestors in Tunis

On 19 May, health workers in Tunisia, members of PSI affiliate Fédération Générale de la Santé (FGS), organised a general strike in all the country’s hospitals (general, regional and teaching hospitals) following the deadlock in negotiations between the union and the Tunisian Health Ministry.

No to privatization of occupational health and safety!

19 May 2016
Ebola Personal Protective Equipment - Photo:UNMEER/Martine Perret - Creative Commons

PSI welcomes the news that the draft ISO 45001 has been rejected by ISO Member Organizations, since the majority vote necessary for its adoption was not reached. PSI has campaigned for a NO-vote through its affiliates around the world and now calls for a genuine standard-setting process to be launched within the ILO!

48-hour general strike in Greece

06 May 2016

The protest, on the 6th and 7th of May, is against the government's intention to adopt in the Parliament the anti-insurance Bill, which ravages what remains standing of the Social Security in Greece.

PSI affiliates in Brazil alert for the risks of regress after the possible overthrown of Dilma Rousseff

19 April 2016

Vice President Michel Temer has already pointed to business sectors that his government's agenda, if he ascends to the presidency, will be markedly neoliberal, with privatization, loss of labor rights and cuts in social programs.

Liberian healthcare workers: the unsung heroes of the Ebola crisis

31 March 2016

PSI is proud to nominate two exceptional candidates for the WHO’s 2016 International Health Workforce Awards which recognizes outstanding health workers and individuals who have demonstrated significant achievements in the field of human resources for health (HRH). Both candidates are members of PSI affiliate the National Health Workers Association of Liberia (NAHWAL).

U.S. Supreme Court decision gives reprieve to public sector unions

29 March 2016
Photo: Laura Markwardt/AAUP

Today, the Supreme Court announced that it had reached a 4-4 tie in the Friedrichs case that challenged the legality of allowing unions to charge an agency or fair share fee to non-members. The tie upholds a lower court decision that recognizes the constitutionality of the agency fee system, but does not prevent similar cases from making their way through the federal courts in the coming years.

Support the Korean Education workers' strike on 1st April!

22 March 2016
Poster: Support Education Workers' Strike

On 1 April, PSI affiliate KPTU-EdSol and other education support workers' unions will go on a 24-hours strike calling for improvements in working conditions and job security for all education support workers. Show your support for the strike - #SupportKPTUEducationWorkers

Weak health systems caused the Ebola crisis in Liberia

16 March 2016

Liberia was the third country to be hit by the Ebola crisis in 2014-2015. Over 10,000 cases and almost 5,000 deaths were reported. Health workers in particular were severely hit due to the lack of personal protective equipment, medication and material, as well as knowledge of the disease.

In India, outstanding responses to nurses union call for mass casual leave

10 March 2016
All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF)/Facebook

On the 26th of February, more than 12,000 nurses under the banner of the All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF) were off-duty to protest against “retrograde recommendations” of the 7th Central Pay Commission. In case the government remains deaf to their demands, an indefinite strike will start from the 15th of March on.

Indian unions call for indefinite strike

08 March 2016
Indian trade union demonstration

In the absence of successful negotiations with the government on their list of demands, Indian trade unions are organising a series of actions, culminating in an indefinite strike from 11th July.

Rosa Pavanelli joins UN Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth

08 March 2016
Rosa Pavanelli/Photo:CUPE

PSI General Secretary will represent the trade union movement, health workers and public services on a newly created UN High Level Commission announced by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the 2nd of March.