On 3-4 December PSI Executive Board renewed its commitment to a fighting PSI that organizes and grows collective power to defend and advance the interests of workers in public services. Meeting in Geneva and online, the Board recommitted to fighting rising global threats and the emergence of extreme right-wing forces.
Key commitments included:
Launch of a new Organizing Fund, that has already reached 750,000 euros, with large affiliates pledging between 50,000-100,000 euros each
A revitalized global health and care sector strategy, including increased engagement with the World Health Organisation
More than 200,000 new members joined PSI at the meeting, with over a dozen new unions and commitments from major existing affiliates to increase their declared membership.
The strong commitment by our affiliates to deepen our organizing work in the private and public sector is exactly what we need
The board approved a comprehensive plan for a sustainable PSI, including a substantial increase to affiliation fees to support and strengthen political and organizing work.
The Executive Board rapidly responded to support South Korea’s trade union movement against the attempted coup, releasing a solidarity statement, petition and committing to monitor the situation and support member-unions in defence of democracy.
EB approved an emergency resolution on Turkey expressing its solidarity with the Turkish trade unionists arrested on 26 November and demanded their immediate release that has been hand delivered this week to government representatives.
Through PSI we are uniting to tackle these threats, defend our members and build a better world
The Board heard from unions on significant organising successes in the African and Asia Pacific region. Among the new unions welcomed into PSI is the Pakistan Community Health Workers Federation (PCHWF) launched this month which brings together more than 20,000 organized women workers in the first national union of its kind. The PCHWF is the culmination of a decade of sustained organizing supported by the PSI Global CWH initiative and solidarity support from PSI affiliates Fórsa and the Kommunalanställdas Nordiska Samarbete.
The board heard reports from the regions, noted the comprehensive work plan from the World Women's Committee (WOC) and young Workers, and noted progress on the LGBTQ action plan. It received an update on the success of PSI work in ensuring that health workers voices are heard in the pandemic treaty negotiations and the latest wins in PSI's campaign to ensure corporate tax transparency.
PSI President Britta Lejon (ST Sweden) said "Global threats such as war and the rise of the far right require a global union federation that understands public services and fights for all public service workers, across private and public sectors. Through PSI we are uniting to tackle these threats, defend our members and build a better world.”
PSI General Secretary Daniel Bertossa said:
“The strong commitment by our affiliates to deepen our organizing work in the private and public sector is exactly what we need. Only by growing our membership can we build the power needed to win trade union rights and quality public services.”
Emergency resolutions
Emergency resolutions
