Anne-Marie Perret unanimously elected as EPSU President —Anne-Marie Perret élue à l’unanimité à la Présidence de la FSESP - Anne-Marie Perret einstimmig zur neuen EGÖD-Präsidentin gewählt - Anne-Marie Perret es elegida por unanimidad presidenta de la FSESP - Anne-Marie Perret enhälligt vald till EPSU:s ordförande

Press Communication, 6 December 2005

(Brussels 2 December) Ms. Anne-Marie Perret (Federal Secretary of Force Ouvrière-Fonctionnaires) has been elected as President of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU). The EPSU Executive Committee unanimously endorsed the nomination at its meeting on 29-30 November 2005. Ms. Perret will serve as President until the next EPSU congress in 2009.

Ms. Perret has served as one of the two EPSU Vice-Presidents since 2001. On accepting the Presidency, Ms. Perret thanked the Executive for their unanimous support. In her acceptance speech, Ms. Perret stated, “I am honoured that European public service union leaders have place their trust in me. I am also aware that the responsibility comes at a time when the value and role of public services in Europe are being constantly assailed. I pledge to ensure that public services are again recognised as the core of the European social model”.

Ms. Perret also thanked the outgoing President Ms. Anna Salfi (CGIL, Italy) for her excellence during her term. Ms. Perret stated, “Anna Salfi has proven her ability as President. Thanks to her, EPSU is in strong structural and political position to become a central component of the debate on public services in the EU”.

The nomination, proposed by the second EPSU Vice President, Dave Prentis (General Secretary of UK affiliate Unison) was recorded as being endorsed by acclamation. Speakers from France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Portugal, Greece and Luxembourg, made particular reference to the capacities of Anne-Marie and her ability to articulate public service issues at the EU level.

The General Secretary of Force Ouvrière Fonctionnaires, Gérard Noguès, who was present at the meeting to observe the debate, stated that he had full confidence in the abilities and capacity of the new EPSU president, and welcomed the decision of the EPSU Executive.

For further information please contact Brian Synnott, + 32 2 2501080 or send an email to bsynnot@epsu.org