EPSU says thanks to Annelie Nordström, welcomes new President Kommunal

(3 June 2016) We need public procurement that protects workers, said one of the delegates at the Kommunal 2016 Congress. The transfer of workers and collective agreements when companies lose their contract was something Swedish workers are fighting for. Delegates spoke about the lack of respect for the jobs in many services in which women dominate. The union is committed to close the gender pay gap. These and many more issues dominated the contributions of the close to 200 delegates.

The Kommunal Congress took place against the background of a scandal that had hit the union in January. Many delegates pledged their support for actions that make the union more transparent. Out-going Kommunal and EPSU president Annelie Nordström referred to the work the union had undertaken to build the union and increase membership. That successful work will continue. The Kommunal Congress elected Tobias Baudin as the new President. Tobias committed to fight for the members, to keep the focus on addressing the gender pay gap and to ensure that the union is a force in society.

EPSU’s General Secretary spoke, congratulated Tobias and thanked Annelie on behalf of the EPSU Executive Committee for the work she had done. Annelie was elected at the EPSU Congress in Toulouse in May 2014. He addressed the current priorities for EPSU in fighting the austerity policies, to campaign for tax justice and to block a new generation of trade agreements like CETA (EU-Canada) or TTIP (EU- USA). These agreements undermine democratic regulation. They risk fueling the privatization of public services. He applauded the work done by the Swedish unions in welcoming refugees and in assisting the inclusion in the labour market. The union stood up in support of unions across the world defending trade unions rights.

Other speakers at Congress included the President of the Swedish TUC (LO-S) and the prime minister.

The EPSU General Secretary addressed the Kommunal Congress, 2 June 2016 Stockholm. Delegates from many countries participated including from Russia, Japan and Philippines. The PSI President and the PSI deputy General Secretary as well as EPSU Vice-president Francoise Geng attended to say good bye to Annelie.

  • Annelie Norström speaking at Kommunal Congress June 2016
Sweden