EPSU journalists workshop Brussels 27 February 2008

Overview of 2009 Congress (1) 8-11 June 2009, Flagey Centre Brussels Theme: Quality public services – quality of life! Resolutions in name of Executive Committee: Public services Collective bargaining / social dialogue / employment conditions / trade union rights EPSU sectoral policies (separate resolutions) Equal pay Building EPSU as a trade union organisation Other? Executive Committee (26/27 November 2008) raised e.g., of ethnic minorities / migrant workers, climate change, external dimension Standard format, short(er), action-orientated (with explanatory note if needed), overall cohesion

Overview of 2009 Congress (2) Other Congress documentation: Possible resolutions from affiliates Brochure: examples of successful public service campaigns ++ key issues Background paper on EU external policy? Background paper on gender equality (participation + mainstreaming)? PR video: put ‘faces’ to public services Finance report 2004 – 2008 Assembled reports of activities

Recap on EPSU public services ‘achievements’ Relaunching EU legal framework debate Alliance-building on quality public services (ETUC, PES+, NGOs, CoR, EESC, employers, academics – no longer only public service union concern) Preventing /limiting liberalisation (water, energy, services directive, health directive) Developing policy and conducting research in new areas (PPPs, State Aid, eGovernment, decentralisation) Integrating public service issues into social dialogue Supporting / coordinating national and local actions

Current public service topics (1) Public service framework directive (1/2million signatures) Support from 12+ Mayors of capital cities Protocol in EU Treaty – follow up and integration in EU law? Alternatives to the market ( Research Conference with ETUI-REHS) Public Procurement (concessions; public- private partnerships, social procurement)

Current public service topics (2) Fair wage campaigns (Germany, Italy, UK, Portugal, France, Slovenia… ) ECB attack on inflation compensation/ wage agreements; Euro-group arguing for wage restraint in public sector EPSU work on increase minimum wages and equal pay Outsourcing (e.g., checklist) Trade union rights (Laval, Viking… EPSU project on trade union rights in public sector with ETUI-REHS) Collective Bargaining Seminars ETUC wage campaign – 5 April ?? In Slovenia

Current public service topics (3) Prison services action day Overcrowding 28 February Social Services – separate legislation? Health liberalisation Energy package (South East European energy community) Water (Reclaiming Public Water, Georgia) EWCs (increase in number of companies, new focus on health and social services)

Next steps for Congress preparation First discussion on all EPSU resolutions in March (texts prepared on public services, collective bargaining, constitutional changes, also in Standing Committees) National discussion – role for trade union journalists? Second discussion Autumn > Executive Committee Spring 2009 > delegates March Congress June