Public Sector Solidarity Front
| File:Ossv.png | |
| Abbreviation | OSSV |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1949 |
| Type | Trade union |
| Headquarters | Vlud, Vyvland |
Membership | 2,420,000 |
Secretary | Vranzeska Gryn |
| Website | www.ossv.vy |
The Public Sector Solidarity Front (Vyvlander: Openligsektor Solidartievront, pronounced /ˌopənliʝ'zeçteɾ ˌzoli'daɾtjɪvɾont/, abbreviated to OSSV) is Vyvland's main public sector trade union. It represents almost all public sector occupations, and contains 2.4 million members, which is equal to one half of Vyvland's public sector employees or 15% of the total working population. It is one of the three largest unions in the country, with the others being Ynid, a large association of private sector unions such as the large ex-manufacturing Workers' Union, and the Vyvlander Fishing Association for maritime workers. The OSSV benefits from a large public sector and relatively lax union restrictions, and thus holds considerable political weight within Vyvland.
History
The OSSV was founded in 1949 after North Vyvlander Prime Minister Frig Brayeer liberalised the laws regarding unionisation, which had previously mandated that unions may only cover one specific occupation or occupations in one location. Although it claimed not to have been a merger of other unions, its leadership was mainly comprised of former members of previous public sector unions. Over the following decades, the OSSV grew in membership, absorbing other public sector trade unions, most notably the Teachers' Labour Organisation in 1964.
In 1968, the OSSV played a very active part in the Stanmer Riots, siding against then-Prime Minister Rasmys Blymborg. This involved many members meeting in Lyksdal to protest, which also alienated some within the union. In 1968, the Moderate Public Sector Union was founded as a breakaway movement. However, the OSSV's leadership began to moderate and de-radicalise over the following years, maintaining the OSSV's position as the dominant public sector union.
Political allegiance
The OSSV has traditionally been loosely aligned with the Socialist Party. However, it officially renounced any political allegiance in 1989, which is seen by many as a turning point for the Socialist Party, who from then on have struggled to muster donations, paving the way instead for the rise of the Liberal Party. The OSSV continues to maintain a political voice, which is most often used to campaign for issues affecting the union's membership. Recently, the OSSV's campaigning focus has been against changes to public sector pay, contracts and pensions.
Relationship with other unions
The OSSV maintains good relations with most other trade unions in Vyvland, many of whom it organises conferences with. It tends to associate more often with private sector unions, as other public sector unions are often explicitly opposed to the dominance of the OSSV. Internationally, the union maintains ties with the Nevan Central Organization of Nevan Labor Unions and Geadish National Federation of Labour Unions.