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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.

US to increase pressure on Guatemala over workers’ rights

24 September 2014

PSI welcomes the United States decision to push ahead with legal action to make Guatemala meet international standards on labour rights and working conditions.

India: Core labour standards not implemented in ADB funded projects

02 September 2014
India - Sewage treatment plant, Kavoor, Mangalore, India. Photo: ADB

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Handbook on Core Labour Standards 2005, committed to comply with the internationally recognized core labour standards (CLS) and related labour laws in the design, formulation and operation of its loans to the developing countries. However the workers in the projects have identified union busting, harassment or physical violence against unions and discrimination and dismissals and other work-related anti-union/worker actions etc. in the projects and the compliance according to the CLS handbook is not strictly observed.

Guatemala: Health workers demand implementation of collective agreement

29 August 2014

PSI affiliate, the National Union of Health Workers of Guatemala (SNTSG), and the Frente Nacional de Lucha [SP](FNL), organised a rally on 28 August in Guatemala City.

Two-month UWUA strike defeats subcontracting attack

20 August 2014

Local 537 of the Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO (UWUA) marked an important win after ratifying a new labour agreement with Pennsylvania-American Water. The new agreement brings nearly 150 workers back off strike and turns back management demands to eliminate long-standing protections against subcontracting.

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.

10 July - UK public sector workers strike for better wages and against government policy

10 July 2014
Striking UK workers demonstrate in London, 2011

On 10 July, over a million public sector workers in the UK held a 24-hour strike. PSI affiliated unions GMB, FBU, PCS, Unison and Unite the Union, together with NIPSA and the teachers' union NUT, were on strike and demonstrated against the government's decision to offer a 1% salary increase and against government policy.