Utilities
A secure and affordable supply of energy, clean water and sustainable waste management are basic needs for each individual and our communities in society. EPSU believes that the best way to ensure that these needs are met is through the public management of utilities services, proper regulation of the sector and decent working conditions for employees. We represent workers in the electricity, gas, water and waste sectors – both public and private – and it is our job to make sure that their voices are listened to at a European level.
EPSU’s Utilities work has seen a number of successes, most notably the ECI Campaign Right2Water, in which nearly two million European citizens joined our call for the implementation of the human right to clean drinking water and sanitation in the EU.
The President of the EPSU Standing Committee for Public Utilities is Matthew Lay, UNISON, U.K. Guillaume Durivaux is the EPSU policy officer for the sector.
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Right to Energy Coalition event 19-20 June 2019, Brussels
European coalition for the Right to Energy moves forward
This week the Right to Energy coalition organised an European event with over 100 participants from 20 countries and several European organisations.
EPSU General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan speaking at a Parliamentary inquiry on Drinking Water in Austria
Right2Water on agenda of the Austrian Bundesrat – Water is a human right, not a commodity
The President of the Bundesrat, Ingo Appé, organised a Parliamentary inquiry on Drinking Water in Austria.
Presidium of the 4. Congress RETUN-SEE in Belgrade, 11 April 2019 - EPSU GS joins energy unions South East Europe
Energy unions South East Europe consider climate change, restructuring and bargaining
With all the countries of South East Europe being members of the Energy Community, the impact of European Union energy policies is felt beyond the borders of the EU.
Verdi support for European actions World Health Day 01042019 with Sylvia Buhler and Frank Warneke
Verdi health and social services against commercialisation and privatisation. In solidarity with DISK President standing trial
Leading activists of Verdi in the health and social services joined European actions against the privatisation and commercialisation of health and social care.
Trade Unions for Energy Democracy network supports YouthForClimate, 14 March 2019, Brussels, EPSU offices
People and Planet Before Profit says group in support of #YouthforClimate Action
The demand for urgent action to address climate change by #YouthForClimate is supported by a broad group of trade unionists, environmentalists, energy poverty and social action campaigners that met on the eve of the 15th march Global #Strike for the Climate.
Member States deny citizens right2water in Drinking Water Directive – ECI campaigners disappointed
At the European environment council meeting on 5 March national environment ministers adopted a disappointing and very much watered down text on the Right2Water in the Drinking Water Directive.
How remunicipalisation of water services in Rostock delivered lower prices and better collective agreement
It took years of sustained effort. In the end trade unions, city councillors and water activists convinced the German city council of Rostock its water services are better off being run public.
