Water
The fight for public water goes on in Greece
On Thursday the 22nd of February a group of trade unionists including the president and vice president of EYDAP visited the European Public Service Union (EPSU) to discuss the struggles they are facing with the water privatisation in Greece.
European Parliament considers revised Regulation on the European Citizens’ Initiative
The experience of many campaigners and organisations with running ECI’s has not been positive. Very few were successful and of the successful initiatives the European Commission hardly took notice. The exception was the ECI Right2Water.
Brussels Film Premiere of 'Up to the last drop' on February 22nd at the Vendome cinema organized by trade unions and civil society organizations
Why is the EU inciting Southern European countries to privatize their distribution services and to recycle their water? An Investigation at the heart of a secret war that our future depends on.
New study demands Commission to support institutional environment for Human Right to Water – and to avoid threats to it
The European Commission published its proposals for a Recast of the Drinking Water Directive, 1 February 2018. They include amendments to guarantee vulnerable groups access to safe and affordable water.
Recast Drinking Water Directive step forward but misses the opportunity to recognize Human Right to Water
(Press Release - embargoed until 1st February - 12:30) Tomorrow the European Commission will approve the Recast of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). It is the first time that legislation takes account of the demands of the first ever successful European Citizens Initiative (ECI) Right2water.
EPSU’s Utilities Committee promotes just transition while condemning liberalisation
The concept of Just Transition was at the heart of the discussion at the EPSU’s Utilities Standing Committee where decarbonisation and digitalisation of the European economy were deeply debated amongst members.
EPSU joins global coalition in support of unique Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance
Faced with an attempt to reduce the role and unique charter of the Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance, EPSU, many affiliates, water movement groups and activists have addressed an Open letter to UN Habitat.
Unions strike over Veolia's plans for job cuts
Trade unions at the Veolia water company are taking strike action over the company's plans for restructuring - the fourth in only three years. These will impact on over 1500 posts with 572 specified as job cuts. The unions are particularly angry that the company is talking about compulsory redundancies. This would be a first for the sector. The unions want the company to withdraw this threat and to properly negotiate over the changes with a view to providing workers with training and retraining opportunities.
Strike action against Veolia's plans for job cuts
Unions at the Veolia water company have announced strike action in protest at the company's latest plans for restructuring, the fourth in three years. The unions are angry that a further 572 jobs are due to go by 2019 after 2000 have already been cut since 2014. They are particularly concerned that this time the company has not ruled out compulsory redundancies which the unions say would be the first for the sector. The unions say the cuts aren't justified in terms of the company's economic performance and they want the company to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies and begin a
EPSU supports global campaign to stop privatisation Lagos water services
The Lagos State Water Company is pursuing various public private partnerships. The union and Nigerian civil society’s Our Water Our Right coalition, supported by a large group of organisations including PSI are opposing this due to the expected negative impact of PPPs on workers and the people of Lagos.
Unions strike over job cuts
(July 2017) Four unions at the Veolia water company took strike action on 3 July in a protest at the company's announcement of a plan for job cuts. The unions have called for negotiation of a proper plan for training and retraining and have rejected compulory redundancies with a call to defend local jobs. The unions involved in include the CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC and UNSA.