Finnish Public Services Unions' EU Working Party FIPSU

Public services and public sector work are in a state of turmoil everywhere. Current measures involve increasing their efficiency, downsizing, opening them to competition, outsourcing and privatising. The public and private sectors are beginning to converge in terms of both operating practices and models. These changes affect both the users of the services and the employees.

Public sector trade unions are concerned about the status of employees and public services. Both jobs and the quality of services and work are at stake. The decisions affecting these concerns are to a great extent made at the European level, although national decision-making significantly affects the European and global agenda as well.

National decisions have their roots in the international arena

Work carried out at the national level alone is, however, no longer sufficient. We must be present where decisions are made. Successful action to develop working life and secure and improve services requires co-operation with the other European and international public sector trade unions.