Thousands of workers and citizens took to the streets of New York City on March 15 to protest cuts to public services pushed by the Donald Trump administration. The demonstration, which began after 11:00 a.m. in Foley Square (in front of the New York County Supreme Court building) had an outstanding participation of unions affiliated with Public Services International (PSI) in the United States, such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Nurses Association (NNU) and the New York State Federation of Public Employees (PEF), who led slogans in defense of access to essential services and job stability for public employees.

The mobilization was also joined by PSI affiliates from Brazil, Ecuador and Chile, who, as part of their participation in CSW69, wanted to show solidarity with the demands of their counterparts in the United States and denounce the global impact of the adjustment policies affecting public sector workers. "The struggle for public services is international. We are here to support the comrades of SEIU and PEF because we know that the cuts not only affect the U.S., but are part of a neoliberal agenda that hits workers throughout Latin America," Luba Melo, representative of the Public Administration Workers Union of the Municipality of Sao Paulo (SINDSEP) in Brazil and member of the PSI Regional Women's Committee in Inter-America.

The Trump administration's belt-tightening policy has drastically reduced the budget of sectors such as health, education and social security. In recent months, Congress has passed budget packages that decrease funding for Medicaid, food assistance programs and housing subsidies, justifying the measure on the need to reduce the fiscal deficit. However, these cuts contrast with the approval of tax exemptions for large corporations and higher income sectors, which has generated widespread rejection by unions and social organizations.

From the PEF of NY, its president Wayne Spence warned about the serious consequences of these measures. "Eliminating funds for health, education and social security puts the lives of millions of people at risk and makes working conditions in the public sector even more precarious", while calling to strengthen union unity: "We must fight together to prevent the destruction of the services that sustain our communities".

Unions have charged that House Republicans in Washington are moving forward with devastating proposals to cut $2 trillion from Medicaid, Medicare, food and housing assistance and other vital programs, while funding a massive tax giveaway to the wealthy and corporations.

"Unelected billionaires have been given free rein to shut down services and force layoffs for their own purposes," Wayne noted. In addition, to clarifying that one-third of New York State's budget comes from federal funds, and that many agencies rely on that money to provide vital services to New Yorkers most in need.

Union Response and PSI's Role

Public Services International (PSI), which represents more than 30 million workers worldwide, has been a leading voice in denouncing the cuts and commodification of essential services. Its global campaign "The Future is Public," launched in 2023, has promoted investment in health, education and care systems as fundamental pillars of social welfare.

In this context, PSI has promoted initiatives at the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations to demand concrete commitments to strengthen the public sector and recognize essential workers. It has also promoted alliances with trade unions in Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa to highlight how adjustment policies affect workers in different regions of the world in a similar way.

International unity to defend public services

Slogans against privatization and the reduction of public spending marked the day, where demonstrators reaffirmed their commitment to the defense of social and labor rights. "You are not alone in this fight. Our presence and that of other countries reminds us that the struggle is global and that we must be united to confront policies that threaten the welfare of the population," concluded Shirley Morales, vice-president of the National Nursing Federation of Brazil (FNE).

Saturday's mobilization made it clear that the rejection of cuts to public services is not just a local issue, but a concern shared by workers and union organizations throughout the continent. At a time when governments are seeking to reduce public spending at the expense of social rights, the international trade union movement reinforces its message: public services are the foundation of just and equitable societies, and their defense is an urgent task for all.