Brussels, 20/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) held its 6th General Assembly from 17 to 19 April in Lisbon, on the theme "collective bargaining in European public services". Discussions mainly covered how public services will be able to meet the challenges facing them in the future and how to best establish a coordinated policy of collective bargaining. "European public services must have the ability to identify, assess and respond to challenges at an EU level", said Carola Fischbach-Pyttel, EPSU General Secretary, during a press conference. "The introduction of EMU, the European Central Bank, the Social Chapter and the Stability Pact are and will continue to have a massive influence on the type of public services afforded to EU citizens". She said an effective public sector helps to make industry effective.
EPSU is the largest federation affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation, with over 10 million workers represented in the healthcare and social services, in regional, local and central government, in energy, water and waste disposal services.