Profile of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
The EPSU covers the various industries and different vocational categories within the public sector with the exception of postal and telecommunications services, transport and teachers. The Federation’s aims are to deal with all aspects concerned with those employed in national, regional and local government authorities; undertakings engaged in the production, distribution and supply of electricity, gas and water; health, environmental and social services; educational, cultural and recreational services and other bodies whose function it is to provide services to the public. It also comprises organisations of employees of international agencies established by associations of states or government authorities.
Relationship with the ETUC
Following the revision of the ETUC constitution the EPSU now has two seats on the ETUC Executive Committee and is also represented in the ETUC delegation of the Social Dialogue Committee. The EPSU is rotating (rotation every two years) with three other industry federations for a seat in the ETUC Steering Committee.
EPSU representatives are also actively involved in most of the standing committees and working parties of the ETUC and thus contribute to the development of a European trade union point of view.
Establishment of European Relations
Apart from liaising with the ETUC, EPSU sees its main tasks in the establishment of suitable industrial relations structures with public sector employers at European level. To this effect, working relations with, for instance, EURELECTRIC the European organisation for companies in the electricity industry, have led to the establishment of a social dialogue committee in the electricity sector. EPSU and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) have jointly submitted a request to the European Commission for the establishment of a social dialogue committee in local and regional government. Efforts have been made as well to establish a social dialogue with the Ministers in charge of Public Administration. Similarly, we are seeking dialogue with appropriate employer organisations in the Health sector. . In general, EPSU is trying to create a better acknowledgement of the role of public services in the process of European integration. EPSU is presently committed to a better articulation of Article 16 of the European Treaty on Services of General Interest, requesting that fundamental social rights be linked to the right of access.
Internal Decision Making
The EPSU last Congress was held from 14-17 June 2004 in Stockholm. It adopted a series of policy statements on public sector, collective bargaining, pensions, equal opportunities and EU enlargement.
In between General Assemblies, the Executive and Steering Committees are responsible for decision making.
To focus technical and vocational work, the following Standing Committees have been set up:
National and European Administration;
Local and regional government;
Social and health services;
Public utilities.
The EPSU is presided by Anne-Marie Perret, FGF-FO, France. Carola Fischbach-Pyttel is the EPSU General Secretary. The Vice-Presidents are Tuire Santamaki-Vuori of JHL, Finland and Dave Prentis, UNISON, U.K.
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