What are unions? What do they do? Why?

Trade union renewal, union self-reform and similar issues are hot on the agenda for young trade unionists.What kind of union do we want for the 21st century and beyond?

Union members, many of them young members, have been thinking about the relevance of unions. The majority believe that unions are relevant - especially so in these times. But then they comment on the qualities that they want to see in their unions. They want unions to defend their rights - at work and in the community. They want to see their unions with stronger voices and influence in national, regional and international arenas.

Some leaders and members say that their unions need to be more "business like". And some talk about business unionism. What are the different models of unionism and what do you want your union to look like?

According to an article from the New Unionism Network, Buiness unionism is

Working hard on their presentations for the final day

Beatrice Alison Roberts (Guyana PSU) and Jillian Bartlett,planning a presentation

Lilia Auguste (st Lucia CSA) presenting her case study on bargaining in the electricity-sector

Janel Joseph (St Lucia NWU), Lloyquita Symonds (Bermuda PSU) and Shamir Brown (JALGO) finalising their presentation on trade union renewal

Susan Hodge (ACSA), Esrome Roberts (ABWU) and Jillian Bartlett (NUGFW) working on the dreaded presentation on taxation

More photos of the 2013 workshop in Jamaica

Bert van Selm (IMF) chats with Judith Wedderburn (FES) and Helene Davis-Whyte (JALGO)

Judith Wedderburn moderates panel on Jamaica and the IMF

Jillian Bartlett (NUGFW TT) prepares her presentation

Lilia Auguste (St Lucia CSA) receives certificate from Paula Robinson (ILO Caribbean)

Jillian Bartlett receives certificate from Paul Robinson

Akanni MacDowall (NUPW Barbados receives his certificate from Judith Wedderburn

Lloyquita Symonds (Bermuda PSU) receives her certificate from Judith Wedderburn

Participants in action - November 2013

Sis Beatrice Alison-Roberts (GPSU) on PPPs in Guyana

Sis Jillian Bartlett (NUGFW TT) (standing), sharing with Sis Sophia Lowe (NUPW Barbados) and Bro Esrome Roberts (ABWU)

Sis Lilia Auguste (St Lucia CSA) presenting on collective bargaining in the electricity sector

Sis Lloyquita Symonds (Bermuda PSU) talking about experiences in negotiating an MoU in Bermuda

Precarious work in the public service in Barbados

For their pre-workshop activity, Sisters Sophia Lowe and Trecia Boucher (NUPW Barbados) prepared a briefing paper on precarious work in the public sector.

Their task was "prepare a briefing paper/briefing note that essentially provides us with a picture on precarious work in public services in Barbados. Obviously, you will not have the time to do a thorough study of the entire public service. However, we do expect to get snap shots of two or three key departments, ministries or agencies, where you may have your largest membership. You may also wish to include an analysis of the impact/effects of recent budgetary measures relating to the employment of temporary workers."

Trecia Boucher and Sopia Lowe (NUPW Barbados)

After initial editing, the paper will be presented to PSI's sub-regional Advisory Committee (SUBRAC) for the Caribbean in March 2014. The plan is to publish the article in 2014.

Some essential productivity tools

The brain is awesome. But sometimes we still need a little help ….

Lots of things to do. So little time. And we’ve got to do them well. But, we have few staff or a very limited budget or both. Technology, when well incorporated, can be a lifesaver. Activists, shop stewards, delegates and union staff especially can use these tools. When combined with sound trade union principles and practices, they will bring substantial benefits to members. You’ll all be connecting, learning, sharing and taking action to build a better society for all.

Using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) brings many benefits to trade union organisations. And this is especially so when our organisations have limited resources. Here are some tools that we believe will help you with your everyday tasks. They will be invaluable when building your communications strategy. They certainly help me a lot.

But remember, technology is a tool. It is not the be all and end all.

Here are some of my favourites …..

Getting insight into Jamaica and the IMF

To be a part of an audience allowed to throw questions to a panel of persons that included Sis Helene Davis Whyte, General Secretary of Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO), Devon Rowe, Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Bert van Selm, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Advisor to Jamaica is something that one is not privy to in most occasions.

Sisters Jillian and Beatrice engage Bert van Selm of the IMF at the workshop in Kingston on Tuesday

However several trade union members from across the Caribbean were able to on Tuesday were treated to a presentation by such a panel and enlightened about different aspects of the IMF deal that Jamaica is currently undergoing. Persons would have known the background of the situation with Jamaica being in a tail spin when it comes to debt and a economy that keeps on climbing into the ground.

This provided great insight for members as some of them are familiar with the IMF with some countries having signed agreements in the past. However the feeling of the IMF coming to the workshop made the impact of what the trade union was about more profound in the minds of some if not all.

This in my estimation shows the important of the trade union movement to the global landscape and this should give us the impetus to push forward and ensure that the movement to protect the rights of workers is never neglected. To have the IMF in our halls and other persons that speak to the arrangement of the recent Medium Term Agreement makes is worthwhile as it shows respect afforded to us. 

Sis Sandra and others I believe asked pertinent questions but I think that the one that took the cake was if Jamaica couldn't get a write off of some of this debt. I wish  that we could have gotten an answer that suggested somethig in that regard but that wasn't to be.

Mrs Whyte a part of the oversight committee in relations to the IMF agreement in Jamaica was a wealth of knowledge and it is expected that the aspects related to workers rights will definitely have a voice in this period of financial regulation that Jamaica is currently undergoing. Mr Devon Rowe was able to bring great insight into the operations of the Jamaican Government and how they have posit themselves during this time of challenges.

This third leg of the workshop is only getting better and is proving to be a fitting end to a series of training that speaks to development and leadership.

Economic Growth - what does it really mean?

I've just read a really riveting article about economic growth.

Nobel-prize winning economists Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen have admitted that GDP does not capture the human condition and urged the creation of different tools to gauge the wellbeing of nations. This is why countries like Bhutan have adopted the gross national happiness in place of gross domestic product to calculate progress. We need to create measures beyond GDP, and economies beyond the global supermarket, to rejuvenate real wealth. We need to remember that the real currency of life is life itself.

 What are your thoughts?

Do you agree with the author, Vandana Shiva, when she says "The dominant model of economic development has in fact become anti-life. When economies are measured only in terms of money flow, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. And the rich might be rich in monetary terms – but they too are poor in the wider context of what being human means."?

TED Talks - "the more good stuff that goes into your mind, the more good stuff comes out"

I just loveTED Talks.I am a big fan.

Technology, Education, Design. That's what TED stands for.

One blogger says of TED, "This is only the greatest repository of speeches and presentations by the most brilliant minds, most fascinating people, education radicals, tech geniuses, medical mavericks, business gurus, and music legends of our time."

As many of you know, I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel. So rather than try to find all the right words to tell you about TED, here are some from those perhaps more eloquent than me.

"In short, TED Talks are relatively short videos (around 18 minutes) from some of the most engaging speakers around the world. Some famous TED speakers include Bono, J. J. Abrams, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, and Stephen Hawking.These videos cover an endless range of topics, initially about Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED), but now incorporating any number of subjects. Plus, they are free to distribute and share non-commercially under a Creative Commons license."

See this really good article about TED. It has a reall, really cool infographic.

So, try out TED Talks. Sign up at TED.com

Its that time again where we meet and put forward our ideas and develop points to aid us in our development as shop stewards and leaders within our various trade unions across the Caribbean. It is imperative that we use this opportunity to garner as much as we can as this is the final prong of the three fold initiative.

Let us come together with the mindset that we will work our hardest during the few days afforded to ensure that we make it a success.

Climate change ... everyone has a role to play

Heavy flooding in St Lucia

"This has been one of the hottest Septembers that I can remember." "The weather pattern has changed."

Yes the weather is no longer the casual start of a conversation anymore. It's real, it's affecting us all, it's changing - dramatically.

In late September,  the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a summary report on the latest comprehensive science on climate change.  The report confirms what we instinctively know - the planet continues to get hotter and less stable. The IPCC's language suggests that the reason behind it all is human. They say that
human causes are “extremely likely”.

So we have to do something. Not only at policy level but we must take action in our workplaces, ibn our communities and in our unions.

Does your union have an environment policy? Need help in developing one?

Share your suggestions on what your workplaces your unions can do to reduce your carbon footprint?

Civil genocide by a virtual ethnic cleansing

Ginou Jean Baptiste, secretary of the CTSP's young workers' committee, gives her views on the recent decision of the Dominican Republic's Constitutional Court.

"I deplore with all my strength this senseless decision of the Constitutional Court which seeks to remove the right of citizenship from many people of diverse ancestry. This is typically contradictory and fundamentally flawed. The decision of the Constitutional Court Dominican is a violation and a civil genocide by a virtual ethnic cleansing. It does not apply specifically to Haitians but the whole world."

See statement from PSI Caribbean titulars 

Promoting the public good

In this article, Canadians Stephanie Ross and Larry Savage highlight the "taxpayer backlash" that public sector unions face when they seek to defend collective bargaining. "No-one is a disinterested bystander during a public sector strike"

And right-wing, conservative politicians and their supporters seek at every turn to blame the public sector for every wrong in the economy.

Ross and Savage argue that "to overcome these divide-and-conquer strategies, and defend against further attacks on the rights of public sector workers, unions will require new strategic thinking and modes of action. That means more effectively connecting the interests of public sector workers with those of citizens, by linking contract demands to the enhancement of the quality and availability of public services."

Public services are central and key to the quality of our lives and as a result unions need to strengthen the connections between the interests of  those who provide the services and those who use and need the services.

The article focuses on Canada but is equally applicable to developing countries in the Caribbean. We invite you to read the article.

What more can you and your union do to help the public understand and value public services?

Related link

Learn more about the authors and their new book "Public Sector Unions in the Age of Austerity"

The Story of Solutions

Another great short animated video from Annie Leonard. The story of solutions.

It's amazing just how much she and her team have been able to say and illustrate in just over 8 minutes.

For us in the trade union movement, if it aint one thing it's another. The problems just keep mounting. The solutions seem to take longer to work out. In fact, sometimes we wonder if we've really found the solutions.We are all besieged by a myriad of problems.

Check out the video. While the locale is the USA, the pints made apply to anywhere in the world.

What will you be doing to make things better?

Watch the video http://bit.ly/1fJl8oz

Other story of stuff movies:

• The story of Stuff
• The Story of Bottled Water

 

 
 

With friends like these ....

At the beginning of 2012, 20 WTO members (the EU counted as one), calling themselves "The Really Good Friends of Services" (RGF), launched secret unofficial talks towards drafting a treaty that would further liberalise trade and investment in services, and expend "regulatory disciplines" on all sectors, including many public services.

The “disciplines,” or treaty rules, would provide all foreign providers access to domestic markets at “no less favourable” conditions as domestic suppliers and would restrict governments’ ability to regulate, purchase and provide services. This would essentially change the regulation of many public and privatised or commercial services from serving the public interest to serving the profit interests of private, foreign corporations. 

In denouncing the Trade in Services Agreement, PSI, together with civil society organisations throughout the world states "strong regulation of and oversight over both public and private services is crucial for democracy, the public interest and development,as well as for the orderly functioning of the services market. We fear that all of these values and goals would be seriously undermined by this proposed TISA."

The negotiations will impact on everyone - big and small.

Related links
PSI denounces Trade in Services Agreement
Why trade agreements are a new global threat to public services

Communicating with and engaging young workers

Alex White's blog is one of my favourites.

Alex is a writer, campaigner, progressive, social activist and an all round good guy.

In July, he spoke at the Stand Up conference for the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions,

His presentation was on how unions can communicate with and engage young workers. 

Learn more about his goals and presentation.

The points he makes are applicable to all countries and their unions.

Visit and sign up to Alex's site. It is a gold mine (or should that be platinum mine?) of information.

Sign up. Learn. Act.

From their lips to our ears

“Greetings on this International Day of Youth

On this day that speaks to the importance of the youth in the world, we should not take it lightly, and we must realise how important we are in this race of life. 

The importance of the role of  youth has not been missed, and on more than one occasion our voices have been key factors in getting issues dealt with. At present a number of trade unions are trying to put things in place to encourage growth in youth membership to stem declines in membership. Let us be frank. The trade union movement is not like it was a few decades ago  when it was more energised. Youth today have a lot more things to distract them and some see the trade union movement as archaic and not at all attractive to deal with their needs. 

Seeing this development, I along with two Sisters are working diligently on a set of recommendations for Trade Union Renewal in the Caribbean. -  task that some would not have easily or readily left in the hands of three young trade union members. We however see this as a visionary step by those who realise and recognise that the input of the youth factor is key in any reforms that the trade union movement currently needs. We have done a lot of work. But more still needs to be done and upon completion we expect it to be available to every trade union across the Caribbean and even further afield.

I however ask that you too look inside yourselves and your organisations and think about and examine strategies that can aid in the reform of trade unions so that we can  be better equipped to deal with the changing times.”

Shamir Brown

Delegate - Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO)

“Youth are dynamic, and our  enthusiasm is contagious.  We are longing to be involved in the trade union movement, in our  way, using our methods of communication, speaking our language, at our pace....

And union leaders, must recognise that in order to hope for and envision a future trade union movement, they must embrace the involvement of young people now. And not just embrace it,  but utilise it, nurture it, so that young people can grow and impact on other young people.”

Janel Joseph

Central Executive committee member - St Lucia National Workers’ Union (SLNWU)

Using the PSI website

The growth in the Internet and social media tools provide ever-expanding opportunities and access to more and more information.  And it is information with a purpose.


We invite you to regularly visit PSI's website. It is designed to help you in your role as a union activist - in your workplace, in your community, in your country and indeed as you build solidarity throughout your region and the world.

Sign up to receive regular news alerts.

Hey Guys

Hope everyone is well. Been a while. Let's get the spirit going again and join together in the walk of ever representing the rights of workers.


Shamir Brown
JALGO

Presentation on trade union renewal research

PSI Congress Resolutions

Resolutions adopted at the 29th World Congress of Public Services International, held in Durban, South Africa, 27-30 November 2012.

The Resolutions have been published in three volumes: Volume 1 - Resolution No. 1 (Programme of Action); Volume 2 - Resolution No. 2 (Constitution), and Volume 3 - Resolutions No. 3 to 49.

Résolutions adoptées lors du 29eme Congrès Mondial de L'Internationale des Services Publics, Durban, Afrique du Sud, du 27 au 30 novembre 2012.

Les résolutions sont publiées en trois volumes:
Volume 1 - Résolution No. 1 (Programme d'action); Volume 2 - Résolution No. 2 (Statuts), and Volume 3 - Résolutions No. 3 à No. 49.

Les adjuntamos todas las resoluciones aprobadas en el Congreso, en tres volúmenes:

Volumen 1 - Resolución Nº 1 (Programa de acción 2013-2017): Volumen 2 - Resolución Nº 2 (Estatutos de la PSI) y Volumen 3 - Resoluciones Nº 3 a 49

And what about the boys?

Many are preparing for the UNCSW in March.

"

CTSP women at May Day May day rally

 And especially as this time, women's empowerment is a hot topic.

There are still many debates on how to make the changes in order to achieve what I like to call gender justice. This encompasses, gender equality as well as equity.

In this article, the writer states,

"The session made me realize that the empowerment of girls is vitally important. This way, fathers hear the message from daughters they love and it is felt at a much deeper level than hearing the same message from anyone else. Being part of this conversation will impact the work I do on these issues in the future."

What strategies do you use in your organisation and country?

The tax justice campaign

The discussion and campaigns on tax justice continue.

The War on Want, a UK based organisation leads a campaign on tax justice.

This FAQ page is a useful resource for more information on the debate.

In defence of public sector trade uninism

This is a 3-part article that is interesting reading for all. In fact, you could also say that it should be compulsory reading.



Part 1 deals with why public sector unions exist and why progressives should support them.

Part 2  gives the numbers to proves why public sector union workers aren't the goldbricking, featherbedding "thugs" they're made out to be.

Part 3 examines a new model of progressive government.

So what are your own thoughts on the articles?

Are you a progressive?

Global Union Strategy

Here's a GLC article that you may find quite interesting.

I think it is particularly useful for those involved in the trade union renewal research project.

While focussed at the global level, are there implications and some lessons or hints for the regional and sub-regional levels?

You may also wish to consider signing up to receive the GLC's blog.

Robin Hood Tax movement gaining momentum

More European governments embrace the call for a Robin Hood Tax.

At PSI’s  recent World Congress, members adopted a resolution backing the implementation of a financial transactions tax in countries around the world. Pavanelli adds, “PSI is proud of our role in promoting a financial transactions tax through targeted campaigning working with our affiliates and allies. We are committed to continuing to lobby for the introduction of such a tax across the world, to benefit the common good.”

As of January 22, 11 European countries have joined the call.

Janel Joseph, St Lucia NWU at PSI World Congress

Carolyn Romero, PSU of Belize at PSI World Congress

You are welcome to share the wonderful photos of PSI’s colourful public action: “A thousand Robin Hoods call for a tax for the common good” at the PSI World Congress in Durban, South Africa http://bit.ly/11RfMQj

New year greetings

Happy new year! Bonne année! Felis nobo aña!

Wayne Jones (JCSA), PSI Caribbean Titular

A message from the PSI Caribbean Titulars, Sis Jillian Bartlett and Bro Wayne Jones.

In solidarity

Jillian Joy Bartlett (NUGFW), PSI Caribbean Titular

Consœurs et Confrères

Happy new year! Bonne année! Felis nobo aña!
 
Un message des Titulaires de PSI dans la Caraïbe, Consoeur Jillian Bartlett et Confrère Wayne Jones.

Solidarité

Working together: publc sector trade unionism in the Caribbean

Building a new and better platform for trade unionism in the Americas is key. The challenges of this century demand that organisations develop new partners, new synergies and find new ways of doing this.

The FES-PSI project provides a number of opportunities for affiliates to do just that. In order to be able to influence decision-making at the various levels, it means that trade unions must be working together also at those same levels.

Roland Ignacio, general secretary, CGTC

In a series of presentations at the 2011 workshop (Kingston) and the 2012 workshop (Port of Spain), Bro Roland Ignacio, General Secretary of the CGTC in Curacao presented his thoughts and views. In addition to providing some historical background, Bro Ignacio raised a number of key questions.

Public Sector unionism in the Americas - background notes on the CGTC Curacao

Involvement of Caribbean Unions in Regional Platform
Public Sector Unions and Sustainable Development
Trade Union renewal: the on-going thinking, discussion, strategies and actions
The current geopolitics in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

Some key questions:

1. Is the renewal of the trade union movement in the Caribbean important or necessary? Why?
2. What should be the procedure to start a process of trade union renewal in public sector unionism?
3. Who has to take the initiative?
4. Which organisations could give support in this process?

What are your own thoughts? Or, perhaps you have some more questions?

We welcome your comments.