Our EB this week saw union leaders from around the world share strategies on building a fighting labour movement, capable of organizing at scale to stand up to corporations and the far-right.

The EB shaped strategic responses on defending democratic institutions, advancing workplace health and safety measures, and launching a global fightback against the billionaire assault on public services. 

EB also welcomed over a dozen new unions into PSI across every region, including many in the health sector. Existing PSI affiliates declared an additional 270,000 members.

Key highlights:

• Defending multilateralism: EB discussed how to resist corporate and far-right attacks on global institutions and human rights

• Our Right to Strike: EB received analysis on the current International Court of Justice hearing following attacks by employers on the right to strike at the ILO and how a negative ruling would undermine unions around the world. EB established a working group to monitor the ICJ court case – to be involved contact camilo.rubiano@world-psi.org

• Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): Following the launch of the PSI OSH network, Members from UNISON and the Maldives Health Professionals' union shared winning strategies on improving workplace safety and health standards globally. To join the network email daria.cibrario@world-psi.org

• Launching a Public Service Fightback– EB discussed the growing far-right and corporate threats to public services and the existential need to fight back. A new rapid response network was endorsed to coordinate action to shield union leaders from repression, which EB members committed to nominating someone from their union to join, as well as sharing experiences of attacks through the “Protect Our Leaders Survey”.

• Resolutions: EB stood in solidarity with Oumar BA from the Senegalese water workers' union SATES, who is currently on hunger strike against persecution and harassment. EB also addressed expanding our work on supporting unions in conflict zones and the targeting of public services, and condemned escalating violence in Sudan and demanded a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

• Solidarity Statement: EB expressed solidarity with communities impacted by devastating floods across Asia, while colleagues from Jamaica highlighted how PSI guidelines on emergency response and climate change adaptation had supported their own recent hurricane response.

• Women’s Organising Committee: welcomed new WOC chair Hitomi Kimura and laid out plans for a 2027 WOC Conference.

Day 1

The PSI Executive Board EB-167 kicked off in Geneva at the ILO, with board members joining both in person and online from every corner of our global union.

The day began with opening items and moved directly into the General Secretary's report, covering staff updates, EPSU cooperation, and key organizational changes shaping PSI's work.

Regional reports from Vice-Presidents followed, alongside updates from the World Women's Committee (WOC), Young Workers, and LGBT+ committees - ensuring voices from all regions and constituencies are heard on what's working and what fights still lie ahead.

The agenda then shifted to membership matters, including fees collection, affiliations, and how PSI can best support members across all regions.

The afternoon's session focused on finance - reviewing the 2026 budget, year-end forecast, and PSI's Plan for a Sustainable Future.

Day Two: Tackling the Big Issues

On 3 December, EB-167 dove into critical policy areas: Occupational Safety and Health, attacks on multilateralism and their impact on the UN, ILO, WHO, and workers' right to strike, plus PSI's Public Service Fightback campaign.

Before closing, the board set important dates for 2026 meetings, including SC-27 in June and EB-168 next December.

WOC Meeting: Sisters Leading the Way

On 1 December, the PSI World Women's Committee met in Geneva, kicking off with welcome remarks from General Secretary Daniel Bertossa and Chair Gloria Mills.

Highlights included a panel on the Inter-American Court ruling recognizing care as a human right, practical sessions on implementing C190 in workplaces, and progress reviews on the 2023-2028 Programme of Action.

The WOC also elected a new Chair, with the nomination coming from the Asia & Pacific region.

See photos from EB-167: Flickr Album - EB-167

See photos from WOC meeting: Flickr Album - WOC Meeting