Youth
EPSU's Youth Network brings together young public service trade unionists from across Europe. It was set up in 2010 in response to the economic crisis, to make sure young workers have a voice in EPSU and are part of shaping the future of the trade union movement.
The network is made up of youth representatives from EPSU’s affiliated unions, all aged 35 or under. They work together to share ideas, build connections, and push for better working conditions and opportunities for young people in public services.
The Youth Network is led by a Steering Committee of up to 15 members from different countries and sectors. They help set the agenda, represent youth voices in EPSU’s decision-making spaces, and support youth-focused organising, campaigns, and communications.
Chloe Kenny is the EPSU policy staff responsible for the Youth Network. Contact Chloe if you or someone you know is interested in getting involved with EPSU's Youth Network.
EPSU Youth meeting stresses solidarity and plans for future work on jobs, rights and its voice in EPSU
With young workers from across Europe, the youth network held its largest meeting ever. 55 young workers participated and developed the work programme until Congress, elected a Steering Committee and agreed to work on youth unemployment, precarious work, organizing and much more.
Report reveals worsening labour market trends
(June 2017) A new report from the CBS statistics office highlights three key trends in the labour market reflecting greater inequality and less security. Overall the percentage of workers on permanent contracts has fallen from 71% to 61% while the labour market is becoming more divided between low-paid, low-skilled jobs and high-paid work, with few jobs in the middle. The report also found more young people and those with basic education are stuck in low-paid jobs with little autonomy or security.
PSI World Congress commits to keep fighting for public services and workers over profit
The 30th Congress ended with a powerful commitment of public service union leaders from across the globe to work together to fight privatization, change neoliberalism and end the exploitation of workers, people and the environment.
Unions push for pay equity for new entrants
Public service unions, including Fórsa and SIPTU, have met with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for discussions on dealing more rapidly with the problem of pay equity for new entrants to the public service. In the pay changes implemented as part of austerity measures in 2011, two additional points were added to the first two pay grades for new starters. This means that they need two more years to reach the top of their pay grades compared to higher grades. The unions argue that with economic growth and higher tax revenues, it should be possible to tackle this issue in advance
Pay boost for health and social care assistants
The FOA public services union has very much welcomed the significant increases to pay for health and social care assistants and trainees as a result of the recently negotiated public sector collective agreements. While all workers will benefit from the the overall 8.1% increase over three years, specific increases set out in the agreements will mean that health and social service assistants will see increases of 13% over the period and trainees will get pay rises of between 14% and 19%. The union believes these are important steps in revaluing low paid jobs in the sector and also making the
Young workers building EPSU
Members of EPSU's young workers' network were active at the federation's Quality Employment conference last week, chairing debates and putting together a panel to discuss the key issues they are trying to address. Zahra Yusifli from Azerbaijan and Sven De Guise from Belgium chaired the discussions on digitalisation and low pay, while Zahra was also involved in the young workers' panel with Joe O'Connor from Ireland and Judit Zsigo from Hungary. They underlined the need for trade unions to look at how they communicated with young workers and what they were doing not just recruit them but also