EPSU Campaign for Public WaterEPSU Campaign for Public Water

Our Congress Decision

EN 9. Taking the initiative for a petition to obtain a million signatures for water as a human right and water is not for sale

DE 9. Initiative für eine Petition mit einer Million Unterschriften, die der Wasserversorgung unter dem Motto „Unser Wasser ist nicht zu verkaufen” den Status eines Menschenrechts zuerkennen willverkaufen” den Status eines Menschenrechts zuerkennen will.

ES 9. Tomen la iniciativa de recoger un millón de firmas para elevar la petición de que el agua sea un derecho humano y no esté en venta,

FR 9 Initier une pétition dans le but d’obtenir un million de signaturesFR 9. Initier une pétition dans le but d obtenir un million de signatures reconnaissant que l’accès à l’eau est un droit de l’Homme et que l’eau n’est pas à vendre,

IT 9 Prendere l’iniziativa per una petizione per raggiungere un milioneIT 9. Prendere l iniziativa per una petizione per raggiungere un milione di firme per affermare che l’acqua rappresenta un diritto dell’umanità e non è un bene che si può commercializzare, .

SV 9. Ta initiativet till en namninsamling i syfte att samla in en miljon g y junderskrifter för vatten som en mänsklig rättighet och om att vatten inte är till salu

RU 9. Взять инициативу в петиции за сбор миллиона подписей касательно воды как права человека и воды не для продажи

Our Congress DecisionOur Congress Decision

• 9. Taking the initiative for a petition to obtain a million signatures for water as a human rightmillion signatures for water as a human right and water is not for sale based on national action to gain broad public support during 4action to gain broad public support during 4 weeks in the month of May in 2010 inviting other water activists groups to join settingother water activists groups to join, setting aside resources for the development of campaign materials assistance to the EPSUcampaign materials, assistance to the EPSU Secretariat and establishing a campaign steering committee to accompany thesteering committee to accompany the campaign

WHY ?EC has sought and continues to seek liberalisation of water servicesliberalisation of water services

Bolkestein 2002; EP 2003/4, Services Directive and now Barosso: internal marketDirective and now Barosso: internal market environmental services WTO GATSWTO – GATS

Many unions engaged actions to oppose y g g ppprivatisation and liberalisation Support: in EP National governmentsSupport: in EP, National governments, water activists, trade unionsDemands on Commission http://www.epsu.org/a/4106

Steering CommitteeSteering Committee

Water campaigns in Europe

WORLD WATER DAY Wednesday, 22 March 2006 Our water is not for sale!water is not for sale!

We want: Water and wastewater completely out of the services (Bolkestein’s) directiveservices (Bolkestein s) directive

Water and wastewater out of GATS. No liberalisation and privatisation of water andNo liberalisation and privatisation of water and

wastewater. Clean, safe and affordable drinking water is a human , g

right. Water supply is a public service.

This call is supported by EPSU (European Federation of Public Service Unions), ACOD (CGSP) and ACV Public Services, 11.11.11- Coalition for the Flemish North-South movement, PROTOS, Oxfam Solidarity, FOS the Belgian Association for World WaterFOS, the Belgian Association for World Water contract, Attac Flanders.

EPSU Public Service Pledge 2009EPSU Public Service Pledge 2009

I, as a candidate for the European Parliament elections 2009, pledge the , p gfollowing:

Foundations for WaterFoundations for Water• I pledge that the European Parliament will

reiterate that water is a human right.• I pledge that I will not support• I pledge that I will not support

commercialisation and liberalisation of t i d th i ti ti fwater services and the privatisation of

water utilities.

European Citizens’ InitiativeEuropean Citizens Initiative

Article 11.4 Treaty of Lisbon. • No less than one million citizens who areNo less than one million citizens who are

citizens of a significant number of member states may take the initiative of inviting thestates may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission, within the f fframework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where pp p p pcitizens consider that a legal action of the Union is required for the purpose ofUnion is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

Example of successful initiative?http://www.oneseat.eu/

• The European Parliament should be located in BrusselsIt t E t i t l 200 illi• It costs European taxpayers approximately 200 million euros a year to move the Parliament between Brussels/Belgium and Strasbourg/France As a citizen ofBrussels/Belgium and Strasbourg/France. As a citizen of the European Union, I want the European Parliament to be located only in Brussels.

• Name Country E-Mail Your email will be used solely for this petition.

• Join 1265266 other european citizens in signing the petition!

• We have reached one million! (English only)

WATER FOR PEOPLE –WATER FOR LIFE

The signatories ask the European Commission to take an initiative:

• To recognize (access to ) water and sanitation as a fundamental human right in the Europeanas a fundamental human right in the European Union and in the UN

• To keep water and sanitation services public and prevent their commercialisationand prevent their commercialisation

Population 1/500th EPSU membership 1/10 of membership

Target Unions which have been active, or which could be playing a lead role in their countrylead role in their country

Country (millions)

Albania 3.170.000 6.340 31.021

Austria 8.355.260 16.711 135.000 13.500 60000 Unions already active GdG

Armenia 3.230.000 6.460 10.862

Azerbaijan 8.627.900 17.256 33.435

Belgium 10.754.528 21.509 259.014 25.000 75000 Unions already active CGSP CSC-SP

Belarus 9.671.900 19.344 29.940

Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 767 000 7 534 73 465Bosnia-Herzegovina 3.767.000 7.534 73.465

Bulgaria 7.606.551 15.213 41.784 4.100 7500 CITUB health/ Podkrepa construct

C ti 4 435 056 8 870 43 892Croatia 4.435.056 8.870 43.892

Cyprus 801.600 1.603 24.352 2.400 5000 semi-government employees

Czech Republic 10.467.542 20.935 69.163 6.900 15000 Water union/ health union

Denmark 5.519.441 11.039 487.917 48.000 60000 FOA 3F

Estonia 1.340.415 2.681 4.666 450 1000 Rotal

Finland 5.343.608 10.687 474.632 47000 60000 JHL and others

France 65.073.482 130.147 385.881 38000 60000 CGT-SP, FO-SSSP CFDT interco

Germany 82.046.000 164.092 906.902 90000 110000 Verdi

Targets• Lessons from earlier campaigns• If failure in one country needs to be made

up in anotherp• For non-EU countries 1/10th of

membershipmembership• Citizens’ Initiative to force EU Commission

to act– Our experience will be invaluable in otherOur experience will be invaluable in other

cases

AmbitiousAmbitious

Achievable...Achievable...

Time FrameTime Frame

22 March 2010 – 22 March 2011

Campaign moments4 weeks in May 2010Blue October week - 2010Blue October week - 2010Human Rights Day – December 2010

Next Steps• Create website and electronic signature• Create website and electronic signature

infrastructureNational coordinators/ contact persons• National coordinators/ contact persons– National events/ calendar/ supporters...

• Steering Committee• Consider European support groupsConsider European support groups

– MEPs; Public water companies; Water activistsactivists• National level/ European level

• Frequently asked questions• Legal issues – Finalise text of petition• Build up towards launch 22 March 2010