(10 June 2009, Brussels) For the congress period 2009 – 2014, the EPSU 8th EPSU Congress overwhelmingly backed the resolution on Local and Regional Government. The resolution was introduced by Anders Hammarbäck (SKTF, Sweden), EPSU Committee Chair for the sector.
He stressed the need for “a positive agenda for public services, based on shared values of solidarity and equality.” This had to be “an agenda in which local democracy and decision-making play a fundamental part.”
However, in setting out plans for the next Congress period Mr Hammarbäck highlighted a number of aspects of the previous five years’ work that had been important in building a firm foundation for future progress. He praised the “active participation of our Committee members”, adding that: “This level of commitment has been fundamental to our own EPSU work and also to building social dialogue with our employers’ counterpart, the Council for Municipalities and Regions.”
In terms of key issues, Mr Hammarbäck flagged up Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and the substantial body of work that the Committee has done to develop trade union expertise in resisting, in managing, and in proposing alternatives to PPPs. He acknowledged in particular the very valuable support from the Public Service Internal Research Unit (PSIRU) in providing research on PPPs.
Mr Hammarbäck said that while developing policies on major concerns such as PPPs was essential, he underlined the need to “make sure that economic policies also contribute to good social and environmental outcomes.”
Summarising the main points of action in the resolution, Mr Hammarbäck highlighted proposals for more work on economic and internal market policies, including on PPPs and public procurement.
The other three broad areas covered by the resolution were:
- the role, democratic organisation and financing of local and regional government in tomorrow’ Europe;
- the actions that a necessary to develop quality local public services and to counter their marketisation; and
- the need to ensure good pay, working conditions, and pensions of local government workers, through legislation, though the coordination of collective bargaining, and through social dialogue with CEMR.
Mr Hammarbäck rounded up his speech by looking forward to the Standing Committee translating the Resolution into “a dynamic and concrete work programme for the coming years.” Then broadening the perspective, he added that: “We look forward too to contributing, along with the other Standing Committees, to building an even bigger and better EPSU, and to welcoming new members into our daily work.”
The following congress participants spoke during the debate on the resolution:
- Helena AFOUSA, STAL, Portugal
- André FALBA, Fédération FO services publics et de santé, France
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