In the services sector
A collective voice begins with freedom to organise.
The services sector brings together many occupations, from accounting, reception and sales to administration and support services. Although duties differ, workers share needs for fair pay, respect, stability and safety. Union organising enables these issues to be discussed collectively rather than leaving each worker to face them alone.
Our vision is a union whose members help set priorities, choose their representatives and follow up union work. This representation gains credibility through clear responsibilities, respect for differences, and space for women, young people and workers in new occupations.
What does freedom of association mean?
An informed choice to join
Workers should understand the organisation’s goals and rules and participate voluntarily. Our invitation to join rests on understanding and solidarity, respecting members’ right to ask questions and express their views.
Representatives who speak for workers
Taking part in choosing representatives and discussing priorities brings the union closer to workplace realities. Representation is a responsibility to listen and express shared interests, rather than merely a title or position.
Independent decision-making
The union needs to manage its activities and priorities independently, free of interference that makes worker representation dependent on the employer or empties it of substance.
National law and international standards
Union work requires knowledge of the rules governing it and a distinction between national law and international standards.
Palestinian legislation
The Labour Law recognises the right to form occupational trade unions to safeguard interests and defend rights in accordance with the law. The rules governing employment relationships differ according to the worker’s status and employer.
ILO Convention 87
It addresses the freedom to establish and join workers’ organisations, choose representatives, and organise administration and activities. We draw on it to promote participation and union independence.
ILO Convention 98
It addresses protection against discrimination because of union membership or activity and against interference in organisations’ affairs, and promotes collective bargaining. Citing it does not imply that it automatically has local legal effect.
From a workplace need to a collective demand
Serious bargaining begins with understanding the facts: what is the shared problem, who is affected, and what measurable change is possible? The issue might be clear work schedules, regular wage payment or safety procedures in a service workplace.
- Set priorities with workers without assuming that everyone’s needs are identical.
- Formulating clear demands based on accurate information and relevant legislation.
- Represent shared interests in dialogue and bargaining within approved frameworks.
- Following up on agreements and explaining results to members without guaranteeing an outcome in advance.
Protecting participation from discrimination and exclusion
Issues requiring attention include making employment conditional on giving up union membership, adverse treatment because of lawful union activity, or pressure to influence the choice of workers’ representatives. Characterising an incident and deciding how to address it require a review of its circumstances and the applicable legal framework.
Our role is to raise awareness, represent and advocate; we work to strengthen respect for union participation and responsible dialogue. The union does not replace government inspection or the courts in exercising their powers.
Participation builds a union closer to its members
- Taking part thoughtfully in meetings and discussing professional issues respectfully.
- Expressing shared priorities in clear language grounded in reality.
- Making room for women, young people and less represented occupations in discussions.
- Respect colleagues’ privacy and do not share their data or documents without consent.
From awareness to action
What is our union’s role?
Spreading union knowledge
Explaining organising, bargaining, rights and duties in simple terms, with examples from offices, shops, service workplaces and platform work.
Representing shared interests
Gathering workers’ priorities and turning them into demands that can be discussed, while strengthening dialogue with employers and relevant bodies.
Strengthening democracy and inclusion
Encourage participation, accountability and respect for diversity within the union, keeping members’ voices at the heart of its direction and priorities.
The union’s strength is built through members’ participation, independent decision-making and the ability to represent their needs clearly and responsibly.
For a fuller picture
Frequently asked questions
Does a member’s role end after joining?
Joining begins a relationship of participation. Taking part in discussions, understanding priorities, respecting rules and contributing ideas helps build representation more closely connected to workers’ realities.
Is every workplace dispute a collective union issue?
A dispute may be individual or reveal a shared problem. Identifying its nature and the appropriate response requires understanding the facts, the worker’s status, and the relevant provisions and procedures.
Further reading
References
- Palestinian Labour Law — official online reference of the Official Gazette
- International Labour Organization — Freedom of Association Convention No. 87
- ILO — Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, No. 98
Awareness content explaining the union’s role. Consult the laws in force and the competent authorities when examining an individual case.