Issues

Globalization

Read why Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians is concerned about Globalization of Public Services.

Everything that used to be considered public - education, health, seeds, genes, culture and heritage, even air, water and land is being put on the open market," said Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians in a recent address to the PSAC National Board of Directors. "Services at all levels are being targeted by transnational corporations. But some governments have stymied them up to now. That's why the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other trade agreements are being used to pry open governments who are stubborn on privatizing public services.

• Read more of Barlow's remarks
• Visit the PSAC Globalization page

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) has published a free book entitled A Trade Union Guide to Globalization. You can request a copy here.

Social Justice

Why should the PSAC be concerned about Social Justice?

"According to a survey by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, in 1999, around the world some 6,607 trade unionists were harassed or wounded, 2,942 were arrested, 140 were assassinated; 1,545 were beaten or tortured, and thousands more were sacked for normal trade union activities recognized in international law and codified by the ILO. In Colombia this year alone, over 85 trade union leaders have been murdered." - Canadian Labour Congress

The focus of the PSAC's Social Justice Fund will be on:

• international development work;
• Canadian anti-poverty and development initiatives;
• emergency relief work in Canada and around the world;
• worker to worker exchanges; and,
• worker education in Canada and around the world.

For more information, visit PSAC's social justice webpage.

Privatization

• PSAC's privatization website
• The CLC's 10 Point Action Plan on Privatization