Our International Public Sector Union, PSI
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"Thanks!" - to our International Union!
18 June 2004
Korean Power Workers say thanks for PSI help in Stopping Power Sell-off.
By David Carey
PSI AFFILIATES HELP KOREAN ELECTRICITY UNION BLOCK PRIVATISATION. As in Australia, combined action by Public Sector and Energy unions has stoppped the privatisation of the South Korean power system . The PSI, our international Public Sector Union was there to help. The CPSU - SPSF is a proud affiliate of PSI.
The KNEWU put up a determined and courageous resistance to government plans to privatise their energy system.
Their five year battle included many demonstrations, mobilisations, imprisonments, educational sessions - just about the full range of tools available to unions. They even got involved in the electoral process and helped elect a more friendly government.
But the most interesting tactic of their campaign was the tripartite commission (government, academia, labour) mandated by the Korean President to make a comparative analysis of energy privatisation and deregulation in other countries, and to bring forward recommendations that the President would respect. Public Services International, the PSI, helped the commission decide which countries to visit and which unions to speak with.
On 31 May, the commission submitted its final report citing the dangers of deregulation and privatisation, and calling on new energy policies for Korea. We now await Presidential endorsement and change of national policy.
Many thanks from KNEWU to all of the unions that assisted in this ground-breaking effort! And congratulations to all of the workers and union leaders in Korea - what a great fight!
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June 2004 contents
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