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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.

In Honduras, mayor privatises waste sector and sacks 700 municipal workers

17 July 2018

Multinational company demands exclusive rights over street cleaning, waste collection, transport and disposal at the landfill site in San Pedro Sula, the country’s second biggest city. Many trade union representatives among those dismissed.

30 000 nurses on strike in New Zealand

12 July 2018

The 24-hour strike began on Thursday, and comes after months of negotiations between the government and nurses broke down on Wednesday. Nurses said they were overworked and underpaid, with unsafe working conditions leading to burnout and exhaustion.

PSI General Secretary visits affiliates in Japan

09 July 2018

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, arrived in Japan on 22 June for a three-day visit, invited by PSI Japan Council (PSI-JC), the National Coordinating Committee of PSI affiliates in the country.

Public sector trade unions continue their struggle following rigged election in Turkey

06 July 2018

The Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK) has published a press statement on the general elections which were held in Turkey on 24 June 2018. Despite rigged elections, KESK, together with other unions, will continue to struggle for labour, trade union and human rights.

Public service unions stand in solidarity with Nepalese civil servants’ rights at regional meeting in Kathmandu

29 June 2018

Public sector trade union representatives from across the Asia Pacific region met from 27-29 June in Kathmandu, Nepal. The meeting is part of the global union federation PSI’s five-year strategic planning to achieve a better world for all, one that places people over profit.

Asia-Pacific workers demand an end to savage attack on Exxon/UGL workers

28 June 2018

Exxon/UGL workers in Australia have been on strike for over a year now, taking a stand against an employer that has savagely attacked the rights of their workforce. PSI and BWI support these workers demanding that the Government #ChangeTheRules to make the behaviour of Exxon/UGL illegal.

The Janus ruling is an effort to manipulate the rights of working people

27 June 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a misguided attack on American public sector employees in its recent Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31 ruling, overturning legal precedent and long-established labor relations practice.

Support for Ukrainian trade unions

12 March 2014
Trade Union House, Kiev

PSI affiliates in Ukraine have requested assistance to help them to re-build Trade Union House, the headquarters of the FPU (national union confederation), burnt down during on 19 February during the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine. The building on Maidan square also housed several trade union offices and the EPSU regional office.

Solidarity with the Korean People’s Strike

03 March 2014
Korea People's strike

On 25 February 2014, the one year anniversary of President Park Geun-hye's administration, the Korean labour movement and other social groups held a "People's Strike" protesting the deterioration of democracy in South Korea.

Turkey: Stop the judicial harassment of trade unionists

23 January 2014
KESK rally outside Ankara criminal court - April 2012

PSI joins EPSU and ITUC in denouncing the Turkish government’s anti-union attacks as well as the abuse of the Turkish legal and judicial system by the authorities against the trade union movement.

PSI calls on its affiliates to take action now and tell the government of Turkey to stop judicial harassment against trade unionists.


Send your protest message, sign the ITUC online action or download the model letter

Support Korean workers – hold protests at Korean embassies on 9 and 16-18 January

03 January 2014
striking workers in Korea

PSI affiliate KPTU asks for continued global support in its fight for worker rights and quality public services. All affiliates are invited to demonstrate international solidarity by bringing our voices to Korean embassies and consulates around the world on 9 and 16-18 January 2014.

Korea: Support railway workers' right to strike

19 December 2013

Since June, the South Korean government has been pushing forward a new rail restructuring and privatisation programme despite widespread opposition. Faced with the government and Korea Railroad Corporation's (KORAIL's) flat out rejection of social dialogue, the Korean Railway Workers' Union (KRWU), an ITF affiliate, has been on strike since 9 December.


KRWU is also a member of the KCTU-Korean Federation of Public Services and Transportation Workers' Unions (KPTU), a PSI affiliate.

FirstEnergy locks out utility workers in US

28 November 2013
Demonstrators holding banners, one saying "I want to work"

FirstEnergy Corp. – one of the largest electric power corporations in the United States – locked out 150 members of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) in the early morning hours of November 25, three days before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

Algeria: Reinstate Rachid Malaoui and end trade union rights violations now!

23 November 2013
SNAPAP logo and photo of Rachid Malaoui

Public Services International, together with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF), the Comité International de Soutien au Syndicalisme Autonome Algérien/CISA (International Support Committee for Autonomous Algerian Trade Unions), the Solidarity Center from AFL-CIO and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), is calling for international action in solidarity with Algerian trade union SNAPAP, including the reinstatement of SNAPAP President, Rachid Malaoui.

What Women Want: CPSU Australia 2013-2014 survey

24 March 2014
What Women Want

PSI affiliate in Australia, Community & Public Sector Union (CPSU), launched, for the eighth year in a row, a survey on “What Women Want” asking women to give a detailed picture of their working lives. This is Australia’s largest survey on working women, with over 11 200 women participating.

PSI Washington office report - January 2014

13 February 2014

PSI-North America was very busy in the last week of January with a series of meetings to more effectively coordinate the work among affiliates and PSI.

Download a PDF of the report.

Presentation: A new approach to outsourcing

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.

Presentation: Free trade agreements and the public sector

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.

Presentation: Legislative attacks on public employees, public services and labor standards

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.

Resolution 42: Palestinian solidarity: support for the Boycott Disinvestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS)

06 February 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

Resolution 6: Security at Work

31 January 2014

The 29th World Congress of Public Services International (PSI), meeting in Durban, South Africa, on 27-30 November 2012

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW)

03 March 2012
Picture of african woman washing dishes

Union women from around the world are gathering in New York for the United Nations’ 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW56), starting on 27th February 2012. Focusing on decent work for rural women, quality public services, social protection and human rights, the trade union delegation to UNCSW56 will call on governments to commit to concrete measures to ensure that women living and working in rural areas enjoy opportunities for economic, social and human development.

International Day for Decent Work 2012

23 November 2011

On 7 October we celebrate the World Day for Decent Work. Public Services International (PSI) joins the international trade union movement in demanding decent work for all and an end to the continuous attacks on trade union rights around the world. We want jobs that provide decent salaries and social security with safe working conditions.

Photos: KGEU Hunger strike, rally and press conference (photos)

31 January 2013

In January 2013, the Korean government dismissed 137 workers for being activist members of the Korean Government Employees' Union. Among those dismissed were the KGEU General Secretary and President. Kim Jungnam, President of the Korean Government Employees’ Union, launched a hunger strike on 15 January in the streets of Seoul outside the offices of the Presidential transition committee and has vowed to continue his hunger strike until the issues facing his union are resolved.

PSI General Secretary sends a message of solidarity and support to KGEU

31 January 2013

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, sends a message of solidarity and support to KGEU, PSI affiliate in South Korea.

Rally to reclaim Wisconsin

12 March 2012

On Saturday 10 March 2012, 62,000 Wisconsinites returned to the Capitol to mark the one year anniversary of the passage of Gov. Walker's union-busting bill.