The Public Sector: Central to the Delivery of Sustainable Development

Here is a paper written in preparation for the 2014 UN Conference on Small Island developing States (SIDS) held in Samoa and published by the ILO Caribbean Office.

“Public sector organisations are central to the delivery of sustainable development. Every aspect of their role – from education to environmental services, and from planning to social care – shapes how people live their lives. If public sector bodies do not take on this leadership challenge, citizens may find themselves cut off from sustainable lifestyles.”

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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?

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.