PSI Regional Committee meetings reinforce the need for inclusive and empowered trade unionism

On 13 November, as part of the related PSI Inter-American Regional Conference meetings, the regional committees responsible for the environment, combating racism and xenophobia, young workers and LGBTQIA+ workers met in Bogotá. In addition, the Inter-American Regional Women's Committee (IAMWOC) and the Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC) also met.

The Inter-American Regional Committees against Racism, Xenophobia and all forms of discrimination, young workers and LGBTQIA+ people met to discuss their points of action and coordinate their participation in the Regional Conference. These issues are crucial to the trade union movement, especially for public service workers and PSI, as a global federation, has been at the forefront of these debates and the fight for inclusion.

The committee for the Environment, Just Transition and Climate Justice, discussed key issues in the framework of public services as a common good in the face of the climate crisis. It also decided to share tools that have been developed in different countries, for example to diagnose occupational risks linked to climate events, in order to develop systemic requests for collective bargaining.

Daniel Bertossa PSI General Secretary

‘Trade unions have always been at the forefront of society's battles for equality, even if they haven't always got it right. I'm their ally and PSI as a whole supports this fight for equal burden-sharing for women.’

At the opening of the Regional Women's Committee meeting, IAMWOC, PSI President, Britta Lejon, emphasised the centrality of the trade union movement in the protection of women's rights, underlining the essential role played by trade unions in resisting gender inequalities.

"The attacks against women are overwhelming, and the only force firmly opposing them is the trade union movement. As a predominantly female trade union, we are on the front line, committed to putting women's rights at the center of our priorities," emphasized Lejon.

PSI General Secretary, Daniel Bertossa, also lent his support to the cause, acknowledging the role of unions in the historic struggles for equality. "Unions have always been ahead of society in the battles for equality, even if they have not always gotten it right. I am their ally and all of PSI supports this fight for equal burden-sharing for women."

Following the Women's Committee meeting, the Regional Executive Committee (IAMREC) met and addressed membership issues and strategy to make PSI a strong and empowered global union federation.