Next Steps

PSI Building Stronger Sector Engagement 

This blog has been part of the PSI Asia Pacific Local Government and Utilities Network for around 10 years , with over 2335 posts. 

The Network it itself dates back till the late 1990's, including the engagement in building Networks through resolution of Resolution 34 at PSI Congress 2012 . https://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com/2012/11/resolution-psi-sector-networksworld.html

Resolution 34 / 2012 (below) …..strengthened and rolled out not just the informal structures also argued the informal Networks would need to be strengthened to provide more formal structures , including . 
"  That PSI should in addition to the affiliate networks examine thoroughly which existing or future structures are most useful for sectorial work within PSI. This should involve solid and dependable structures that would work closely with the PSI Secretariat. Informal networks are a first start but will not be enough in the longer term " 

PSI Congress end of 2017 , took further steps , to invest , support, resource and build on this work with more formal use and mainstreaming of sector activities, including in the Asia Pacific Region , having dedicated responsibilities through its Staff . Section 7 of the current program of Action states - 

"Making Sectors Stronger, details the important role of sectors in PSI’s struggle. It outlines how equalities, cross-cutting issues, privatisation and trade union rights work will be incorporated and driven through sectoral work. It sets out how we will strengthen our sector networks and organise to defend our affiliates and their members. It lists specific action for each of PSI’s five sectors."  (this includes Utilities and Local Government )
http://congress.world-psi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/EN-Introduction-to-the-PoA.pdf

PSI has also strengthened its Sector engagement with the employment and assignment of dedicated Sector Officers/Responsibilities at a Global level and more recently within the Asia Pacific Region with - 

Raman Kannan - taking responsibility for Local Government across the Region. Kannan is also the full time PSI Sub Regional Secretary for the South Asia Sub Region .

Ian Mariano - taking responsibility for Utilities . Ian is also the full time PSI Sub Regional  Secretary for the South East Region.

PSI Asia Pacific Region Contacts - 
Kate Lappin Regional Secretary for the Asia Pacific Region  kate.lappin@world-psi.org

Ian Mariano Sub-Regional Secretary for South East Asia ian.mariano@world-psi.org 

Kannan Raman Sub-Regional Secretary for South Asia kannan.raman@world-psi.org

PSI Global Contacts - 

David Boys – Deputy General Secretary – Utilities david.boys@world-psi.org 
Daria Cibrario - Local and Regional Government Officer daria.cibrario@world-psi.org  

You can also contact Raman and Ian at 

https://www.facebook.com/PSIAPRO/posts/1524036660964280

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Indonesia Power Employees Union

On 28 to 29 August, PSI affiliates in Indonesia, Indonesia Power Employees Union (PPIP) is organised its 7th Congress in Bandung, West Jawa under the theme of "Fighting together for the company's sustainability and members' welfare."

Mr Kuncoro, General Chairman, asserts in his opening speech that the momentum of the Congress has been an important part of organization's supremacy. The Congress bears the objective of reaffirming the manifestation of the highest organization's mission and vision, and how to set out comprehensive, directed, integrated and sustainable policies and stipulated the formulation of organizational manifestations that leads to the realization of the PPIP's objectives. The Congress is also the celebration of PPIP's 18th anniversary.

From  Indah Budiarti   PSI Organising and Cmmunication Coordinator (Asia and Pacific Regional Office)

Asbestos - Local Government, Water and Electricity Affiliates across the Asia Pacific Region - see what WHO and APHEDA have to say in latest update from APHEDA.

" Desperate Measures Deployed by Asbestos Industry" 

Last year PSI Affiliates at the PSI Asia Pacific Regional Congress heard first hand on the  Asbestos problem facing Unions , including PSI Local Government, Water and Electricity Affiliates across the Asia Pacific Region 

As part of our ongoing work in this area , the following news item has been provided by APHEDA 

Over 60 countries have banned asbestos globally. The asbestos industry has been pushing the false ‘safe use’ argument for decades. The Canadian government was a supporter of the Chrysotile asbestos (white asbestos) industry up to their decision to ban asbestos from 2018. This has eroded the strong support for the ‘safe use’ of asbestos campaign.

Currently, the asbestos industry is trying desperate measures to ensure the Chrysotile asbestos market is not further reduced. They are combining misinformation with legal threats, as well as economic inducements to bureaucrats and politicians; and engaging in bullying tactics.

For example in Vietnam, the Roofsheet Association sent threatening letters to all members of the Vietnam Ban Asbestos Network members in 2015 to take “legal court action” for campaigning to ban asbestos in Vietnam. The industry also organised study visits to exporting countries Russia, Brazil as well as Thailand to demonstrate the safe use of asbestos for the National Assembly members (parliamentarians) and bureaucrats from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Their propaganda on the safe use is disseminated through misinformation and deliberately trying to create confusion. The best example of this is the 5-minute documentary which the industry-funded Chrysotile Information Centre has posted on their website which states that “chrysotile fiber will be dissolved within 2 weeks in the body”. The irony of this is that on the one hand, they promote Chrysotile asbestos as one of the hardest fibers which is not damaged by high heat, fire etc. and then also state that it will be dissolved in 2 weeks within the human body. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) unequivocally says that white asbestos (chrysotile) is a carcinogen and a threat to human health. The WHO also supports a global ban on its use. Anyone suffering from or dying from an asbestos-related disease knows that the fibers do not dissolve in the body within 2 weeks.

Footage from Chrysotile Information Centre misinforming viewers that chysotileasbestos fibers in the lungs can dissolve within two weeks claiming the fibers don’t pose any risk to human health (compared to a group of minerals called Amphiboles which take 466 days to dissolve).

The industry has a wide network and engages in espionage activities (see New Matilda’s investigation, ‘Lethal Lies’ – Part 1 and Part 2). In 2015-2016, the industry deployed an agent to infiltrate the ban network to find out the tactics of ban groups and individuals, and also try to create conflict within the group and with others to weaken the movement.

The global ban asbestos campaign has definitely had an impact which is seeing the industry try any measure to continue to make a profit at the expense of human health. The asbestos lobby has now resorted to using the head of state to threaten bilateral relationships and economic harm. As pointed out by a Vietnamese journalist in June 2017, the president of Russia has informed his Vietnam counterpart that if Vietnam bans asbestos, it will harm the bilateral relationship and trade between the 2 countries.

Find out more about Union Aid Abroad’s ‘Asbestos. Not here. Not anywhere.’ campaign:  www.apheda.org.au/asbestos

Good resources and arguments in fighting corruption at the " 2017 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum"

Many PSI affiliates in the Asia Pacific region confront the issue of corruption, raise questions around integrity and openness of Government , will find the recent OECD seminar , now available on the web at https://goo.gl/sieve

Of interest , the report by the OECD includes -
A link to audio / video of all sessions
http://www.oecd.org/cleangovbiz/live-streaming-anti-corruption-integrity-forum-2017.htm
Recommendations on Public Procurement -
http://www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/recommendation-on-public-procurement.htm
A tool kit to support Public Procurement
http://www.oecd.org/governance/procurement/toolbox/
Access to the high level papers for the meeting
http://www.oecd.org/cleangovbiz/2017-integrity-forum-research-posters.htm

Plus much more , this web page and conference have some great resources to use by PSI Asia Pacific Local Government and Utility Affiliates in high lighting, identifying, arguing against corruption

PSI AP Local Government and Utility Unions are campaigning for Asbestos eradication from the Asia Pacific Region. Here is one opportunity to sign on and show your support for Asbestos Eradication ... by adding your name to the Labourstart and APHEDA Action for the Rotterdam Convention change !

One of the key issues that has emerged from last years consultations with PSI Asia Pacific Local Government and Utilities affiliates, was the need to be active on campaigning against the current use of asbestos in the Asia Pacific Region, not just within the community, but also in the use of Utility and other products that are exposed to Electricity, Water , Local Government workers as well as Emergency workers at times of natural disasters and waste collection , clean ups and more .

The ' Ban Asbestos Campaign ' has many Unions across the Asia Pacific Region and Globally standing up for this issues, can you join them, by lending your support, signing the Labourstart page and say NO to this dreadful products continued use. With the current action underway to have Asbestos listed onto the Rotterdam Convention. This is is an important step . 

If you can read the below, watch the video, follow the links and sign one, and pass onto friends and Colleagues , ever little bit will help-make the change !



The following is from the joint advice by Labourstart and the International Aid Organisation APHEDA 

https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=3387

Stand with Rajendra - demand action on chrysotile asbestos now

" Rajendra Pevekar is a victim of the deadly global asbestos industry. His father worked in an asbestos company. As a result, both he and his mother now suffer from asbestos-related disease from secondary exposure. Rajendra will speak out on behalf of the 107,000 people who die annually from asbestos-related disease. In May, the meeting of the Rotterdam Convention will take place in Geneva and Rajendra will face representatives from countries who are blocking asbestos from being added to the list of hazardous chemicals.


For the last ten years chrysotile asbestos has been recommended for listing onto the Rotterdam Convention which adds restrictions to its trade. But it's been blocked by a few countries who gain directly from its export. This must stop. To overcome this problem, a group of 12 African countries have proposed an amendment to the voting system. The amendment calls for a 75% majority method of voting where consensus is not possible. This will enable dangerous chemicals to be listed that are now being vetoed. The amendment will make the voting process consistent with other conventions like the Basel and Stockholm Conventions.

Trade unions and ban asbestos networks globally stand with Rajendra. We call on all delegates to take two actions in Geneva. Firstly, delegates must support the amendment to the voting system. Secondly, delegates must support the listing of chrysotile (white) asbestos – an important step to restrict its trade."


Sign on at https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=3387

This Labourstart action to support the changes to the Rotterdam Convention , is in partnership with  APHEDA http://apheda.org.au/rajendras-story/

OECD publication Energy Policies of IEA Countries: New Zealand 2017 - Advice from OECD

Energy Policies of IEA Countries Energy Policies of IEA Countries: New Zealand 2017 Since the last IEA in-depth review in 2010, New Zealand has further developed its energy policy, as reflected in its energy strategy to 2021 and new rules for more competitive electricity markets. With its unique resource base, New Zealand is a success story for the development of renewable ... Download (for institutions with a subscription to OECD iLibrary) Advice from OECD

Philippines - Senate bats for increase in maternity leave from 60 days to 120 days

https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2017/0306_prib2.asp

" The (Philippines ) Senate today (6th March) approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to grant an additional 60 days of maternity leave to expectant mothers.

Senate Bill No. 1305, or the "Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017" was approved with 22 affirmative votes, zero negative vote, and zero abstention.

The bill was authored and sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.  The bill was also co-authored by Senators Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, Francis Pangilinan, Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and Antonio Trillanes IV, with Angara, Legarda and Binay as the bill's co-sponsors.

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said that the bill was part of the Senate's efforts to protect and promote the welfare of pregnant women: "This bill is the Senate's way of providing greater assistance to Filipina women before, during and after their pregnancies." "By granting more time for a mother to be with her new-born child, we provide the optimal environment for neonatal and maternal health," Hontiveros said in her sponsorship speech.

Under the bill, all female workers regardless of civil status or legitimacy of her child shall be granted 120 days maternity leave with pay and an option to extend for another 30 days without pay. Solo parents shall be granted a total of 150 days maternity leave with pay. " 

Full story https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2017/0306_prib2.asp

French Energy Unions take action

Energy workers strike over pay

Member of five trade unions organising in the energy sector, CGT, CFDT, FO, CFE-CGC and CFTC, called for strike action in late January in protest at the employers' attempt to freeze pay in the sector. The unions say that workers will not pay the price of restructuring in the sector and want immediate negotiations on pay. They also call on the government (the majority shareholder in the major energy companies EDF and ENGIE) to come up with an industrial strategy for the sector. EPSU sent a message of support.

Read more at FNME-CGT (FR)    Read more at FNEM-FO (FR) Advice from EPSU  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engie Unions in the Asia Pacific region , should note the ownership construction of ENGIE , which includes the French Government . please use the link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engie

I.L.O. Convention 151 - Public Employees - Australian Unions Call for Adoption !!

http://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/ilo-convention-151-public-employees.html Australian Unions have adopted a new policy to seek I.L.O. Convention 151 for  Public Employees to be signed onto by the Australian Government .
The step was taken at the ACTU Congress the peak National Union Congress for the Country, this week. 

The proposal was discussed in the International Policy Section and Workshop by way of an amendment to the ACTU policy, put forward by the ASU and supported by other Unions .
http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312296 

Greg Mclean , who moved the resolution to adopt Convention 151 in the International Policy, pointed out that - 
" Convention 151  highlighted the need for Australia to adopt the Convention not just to ensure protection of 'all public employees ' in Australia, but to show to other Countries, including those in the Region the need to sign on to the Convention . The need to move on the Convention had recently been highlighted at the recent PSI APREC meeting ." 

The policy includes recognition of " public employees' organisation " that's Unions .

The full Convention can be located at http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312296

Why Public-Private Partnerships don't work - The many advantages of the public alternative

(PSI, 18 March 2015) There is an odd contradiction between the euphoria about the so-called Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and the poor performance these instruments have offered in the past 30 years.

Many governments are still turning to public-private partnerships in the hope that the private sector will finance public infrastructure and public services. 

This hope also runs through the G20, the OECD and the ongoing negotiations at the United Nations for the Sustainable Development Goals – to be confirmed by heads of state in September 2015. 

Privatisation is about to become official UN policy. However, experience with PPPs shows that privatisation is fundamentally flawed. 

The report “Why Public-Private Partnerships don’t work” by Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) assesses the PPPs experience in countries both rich and poor. 

It concludes that PPPs are an expensive and inefficient way of financing infrastructure and services, since they conceal public borrowing, while providing long-term state guarantees for profits to private companies.

The research demystifies the shadowy PPP processes, most of which are shrouded in secrecy, hiding behind confidential negotiations to protect commercial advantage.  There are no public consultations, lots of false promises, and incredibly complex commercial contracts, all designed to protect corporate profits. 

“Governments and the UN are heavily influenced by a powerful lobby of the biggest services, financial, consulting and law firms, all intent on reaping profits from basic public services such as health, water, energy,” says Rosa Pavanelli, General Secretary of Public Services International (PSI).

“We must remember that private sector corporations need to maximise profits if they are to survive. This is incompatible with ensuring universal access to quality public services, especially for those unable to pay these profits.”

Further dangers These privatisation policies are also linked to the new round of trade negotiations (TISA, TPP, TTIP, CETA), also secretive, without public consultation, stitched up behind closed doors between business interests and the governments that do their bidding. The trade deals will facilitate PPPs and lock them in, making it next to impossible to reverse them.

A further danger is the effort by the World Bank, the G20, OECD and others to ‘financialise’ PPPs in order to access the trillions of dollars held by pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors. 

To access these funds, governments are advised to do a whole lot of PPPs at the same time in order to create a pool of assets that can then be bundled and sold on to long-term investors.  This is exactly what the financial services companies did with home mortgages at the turn of the century, which brought us the global financial crisis of 2008.

From London to Santiago  The author of the report, David Hall, who was Director of PSIRU at the Business School of the University of Greenwich in London, has analysed and compared various cases and countries where PPPs have not delivered what was promised:

The failed programme of Transport for London, the poor performance of the airport of Delhi, the corruption scandals in Chile’s infrastructure projects, the financial troubles with the Troika PPP package imposed on Portugal.

For example, “the United Kingdom has used PPPs for a wide range of buildings and infrastructure – hospitals, schools, roads, rail, defence, and government offices. As neoliberal limits on government borrowing spread, so did PPPs – like in Europe, where EU rules started to limit government borrowing to 3 per cent of GDP,” explains Hall.   

New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA  - all began using PPPs as a way to balance budgets by concealing borrowing, to shrink the size of governments and to reward corporate backers. 

In developing countries, the development banks, bilateral donors and multinational companies encouraged the spread of PPPs in the 1990s, especially in the water and energy sectors, as part of the general promotion of privatisation – and as a way around the fiscal limits which the same International Financial Institutions (IFIs) were imposing on developing countries.  Although a number of services were privatised, the delivery to citizens did not improve. 

There are alternatives The PSIRU report proposes a public alternative to this system, in which national and local governments can continue to develop infrastructure by using public finance for investment, and public sector organisations to deliver the service. This gives the public sector a number of advantages. 

The public sector gains greater flexibility, control, and comparative efficiency – because of reduced transaction costs and contract uncertainty, as well as economies of scale – and the efficiency gains of more democratic accountability.  

“Public services are massive pools of potential corporate profit, and PPPs serve to access them. The ‘clients’ are captive, the services are often monopoly,” comments David Boys, Deputy General Secretary of PSI. 

“This paper provides a synthesis of many years of research, and should be used by union activists, concerned citizens, but also by policy makers around the world.”

To download the full embargoed report click here

Media contact: vittorio.longhi@world-psi.org

Public Services International is a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 160 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations

This is a major piece of work that will benefit Public Sector Workers, across the Globe.  PSI has achieved a endowment of qualitative global reserach r that shows 

Women’s economic and political empowerment - PSI

 http://www.world-psi.org/en/womens-economic-and-political-empowerment “The key to the empowerment of women is jobs, jobs, jobs! Decent work and fair wages!,” said Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary at the recent UN High-level debate on the advancement of gender equality in New York on 6 March 2015. “Investing in public services can play a determinant role in empowering women by helping them to overcome poverty and accessing the labour market. Childcare and elderly care services, education and healthcare are sectors that can really stimulate women's employment while ensuring the economic growth of society and a higher quality of life for people.”“Years of economic crisis and austerity measures have put many working women in vulnerable situations, even in developed countries, and have caused even more unemployment amongst women,” said Ms Pavanelli in her address to the panel discussion.On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the President of the UN General Assembly convened a High-level Thematic Debate focusing on gender issues. Debate participants explored the importance of promoting gender equality and empowering women and children in the context of the future development agenda.PSI is also participating actively in the negotiations on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Financing for Development which will frame the post-2015 Agenda. PSI advocates for change and is lobbying for an urgent alternative to the current neo-liberal policy. In particular, PSI advocates for public investments in public services, because this is the way to support the social and environmental sustainability of economic growth. The gender perspective is particularly important, as women are more vulnerable to neo-liberal policies and austerity measures.For more information:·          See the UN Website·          View the video on YouTube·          Follow the trade union delegation at UNCSW59 on the unioncsw blog, on Facebook, on Twitter@unioncsw

Rally Against Privitization of Wapda Electricity under the auspices of All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union

Wapda & Electricity Workers observed Protest Day all over the country today on 22^nd January, 2015 under the aegis of All Pakistan APDA Hydro Electric Workers Union (CBA) along with Engineers Association over the proposed move of the Federal Government to private the National Public Utility of Electricity on the behest of the World Bank.They brought out mass procession of workers in all major cities of the country including Peshawar, Swat, Abbottabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, D.G. Khan, Faisalabad, Sargodha , Sukkur, Larkana, Islamabad, Hyderabad and Quetta . A large procession of workers along with Engineers was taken out from Bakhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore. It held a mass Rally at Lahore Press Club and marched via Davis Road to Chief Minister House, Mall Road, Lahore.

It was participated by the thousands of WAPDA/Electricity Workers and the Engineers and was led b the Veteran Trade Union Leader Mr. Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary CBA Union alongwith M/S Muhammad Ramzan Butt, General Secreary and Nagra Secretary of Engineers Association. The Rally was addressed by Mr. LA. Rehman, Secretary General Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Mr. Arshed Insari President Lahore Press Club and other representatives of the union . Speaking at this occasion, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary of the Union urged to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to have case studies why Multan and Rawalpindi Private Electricity Companies had failed and were handed over to WAPDA? Why Karachi Electric Supply Company had not been running its own Power Plants despite availing cheaper electricity from WAPDA daily and receiving the subsidies of Billions of Rupees every year from the Federal Government? It had neither overcome load shedding of electricity nor has reduced the price of electricity even in Karachi City.

He declared that electricity is a basic need of people of Pakistan and Government has constitutional obligations to apply electricity to the public, Industries, Agriculture and Commerce which could not fulfilled by the private sectors. The Government should take urgent measures to overcome serious Elecy. load shedding and provide Cheaper Elecy. to the Citizens instead of Privatization. He demanded that the government should hold dialogue with the employees prior unilateral move of privatization of National Public Utility of Electricity under the behest of the World Bank. He demanded that the Government should get recovered the 200 Billions US$ deposited by politicians and capitalists and feudal lords as announced by the Federal Finance Minister last year and get recovered the taxes from the elite instead of selling national silver to the capitalists. He declared that the working class have restrained to take industrial action so far. In case, the Government failed to respond, the workers would be compelled to march to Islamabad and would hold mass protest at Islamabad on 28^th January, 2015.

Secretary  Information

All  Pakistan  Wapda  Hydro  Electric  Workers  Union (C.B.A)

Bukhtiar  Labour  Hall  28 Nisbet  Road  Lahore.

0333-4276811

Dated  22  January   2015

REPORT TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – APRIL 2013

From Greg McLean

Public Services International (PSI) Asia Pacific Region (APR) Utilities and Local Government Network Coordinator

The P.S.I is recognised by Affiliates and others as the organisation in the electricity, energy, water (Utility) and local government (LG) that represents Unions and Employees in these Sectors/Industries. The majority of PSI affiliates are involved in these two Sectors.

In the APR, for the above Sectors, in the past 12 Months I have undertaken a range of activities in support of PSI APR and the Congress resolutions/outcomes, this includes -

Linking P.S.I - A.P.R Affiliates in Local Government and Utilities has been operating for some time achieving good results for the funds available. Our next steps include increased contact globally, around Sector/s reform, OECD countries, APEC ,  ADB , Trade Agreements as examples and thus contact with PSI – LG & Utility Global Affiliates, which now includes circulation of Asia Pacific Utilities and Local Government Bulletin.

Building links with the European Public Sector Union Federation (EPSU).  Exchange local government and utility news, trends, campaigns, actions and challenges faced by PSI Unions working in Local Government and Utilities in APR and EPSU, continues to be critical. Includes briefing by EPSU, Brussels, September 2013. Courtesy of the ASU.

PSI Asia Pacific LG & Utility Blog - An important mechanism for exchange on activities, campaigns and more. The blog is update daily, available in 49 languages, Topics covered include - 

·         APEC

·         Asian Development Bank

·         C.L.G.F.

·         Child Care

·         Climate Change

·         Electricity

·         EPSU

·         Health and Safety

·         Human Rights

·         I.L.O.

·         ITUC

·         Local Govt

·         OECD

·         Private Public Partnerships - PPP's

·         Privatisation

·         PSI - APREC

·         PSI - Asia Pacific Region

·         PSI APREC Utility Bulletins

·         PSIRU

·         Publications

·         Quality Public Services

·         Skills and Training

·         Superannuation - Pensions

·         Trade - WTO - APEC - Bi-laterals

·         Unions

·         United Nations

·         Water

PSI Asia Pacific LG & Utility Bulletin - Twelve Editions distributed each year, to all PSI LG & Utility Affiliates Globally, plus additional advice items, information, highlighted as needed.  Blog & Bulletin also Facebook-ed to over 160 PSI contacts in local government and utilities outside of the Asia Pacific region, plus Facebook-ed on the PSI AP Facebook page.

Electricity – Utilities - PSI global electricity industry unions meeting September 2013. An important first global meeting of PSI Utilities for many years, save any meetings held in conjunction with PSI congress. An excellent opportunity for affiliates from across the four regions of the PSI to exchange views, highlight priorities, direction and work activities. A comprehensive report has been prepared and circulated separately. Courtesy of the ASU I participated in this meeting, providing number of presentations.

Local Government - Briefings by PSI United Kingdom (UK) LG & Utility Affiliates Unite, GMB and Unison, PSIRU, plus APSE Local Government Centre. A detail report including issues of insourcing, pensions, fairness commissions and more, has been developed to provide understanding and assistance for work to be rolled out in 2014/2015. Courtesy of the ASU .

Local Government Global Organisation - Meeting held with Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, (CLGF) October, policy input and dialogue - originally for just PSI Asia Pacific has now moved globally. The work of the CLGF supports PSI work, including transparency, gender equity, anti-corruption. CLGF works with LG organisations across Europe, UN agencies, acceptance by Global LG ‘Organisations as well as commonwealth countries, - Formal advice to PSI Head Office, APR Office September and November 2013.

Networking - Resolution 34 – Congress recognises the importance of Sector Networking with Resolution 34, carried by 98 % of Delegates at Congress, largest number of Congress Delegates speaking in favour of a Resolution. Asia Pacific dialogue well established, have now written to all PSI LG & Utility Affiliates, plus use of social media, seeking PSI Colleagues for Local Government Network. PSI Utilities (Electricity) meeting 2013 has contributed towards Utility Sector Networking. Outcomes for LG and Utility Networking regularly reported to PSI HQ and APR Office’s, (each month or more by email, letters and offers of information sharing).

“Global Networking brings into consideration and acceptance principles of the OECD, UNESCO, ILO, UN and other Organisations outside of a Community closer to a Communities’ needs.”

The above meetings and actions have been taken, by either voluntary time or by my Union (ASU) support.

Greg Mclean   OAM 

Public Services International

Asia Pacific Utilities / Local Government Network Coordinator

E-mail  gmclean@syd.asu.asn.au                                                                                             

Blog  http://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com/   

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Public Services International is a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 150 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations.

Translation site for those using a language other than English, please cut and paste items on to Google translate, a free service located at http://translate.google.com/?hl=en