The Public Services International World Congress takes place every five years, with delegates meeting to elect officials, establish policies, and plan for the next five years. It is expected that between 1,000 and 1,200 participants from around the world will gather in Ottawa for this year's conference, which will be held at the Ottawa Congress Centre from September 2-6. Canada Post marks the occasion with a single commemorative stamp, available in a pane of 16.

Public Services International
Public Services International (PSI) is an international trade union federation for public sector unions. A non-government organization, PSI is within the International Labour Organization (ILO) and has accreditation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). PSI also works in association with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). More than 20 million public sector workers in 500-plus public service trade unions in more than 140 countries make up PSI. Members range from firefighters, food inspectors and judges to social workers. The four Canadian affiliates are: the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Taking Action
Public Services International's focus is on "representing, promoting and defending the needs and interests of public sector workers," and watching issues important to its members. It is also concerned with issues vital to public service users and to the politicians who determine the scope and quality of these services. PSI identifies key issues of importance to union members, determines where international campaigning can make a difference, and mobilizes all available resources with the goal of achieving results. Ongoing campaigns include child labour, pension issues, women's issues, and the fight against AIDS. Core areas of activity include education, employment, environment, equality, and others.

Strength in Design
Designed by Denis L'Allier with photography by Guy Lavigueur, the stamp features the PSI World Conference logo and the image of four hands gripping a rope. The logo comprises a stylized letter 'i' with three rings around it and the PSI acronym in five languages: psi - Public Services International (English); iöd - Die Internationale der Öffentlichen Dienste (German); iska - Internationalen för Stats-och Kommunalanställda (Swedish); isp - L'Internationale des Services Publics (French) and La Internacional de Servicios Publicos (Spanish). The letter suggests a human figure and is the common letter of the five acronyms, while the rings, representing lines of latitude, suggest a globe. The three human arms plus the prosthetic arm show inclusion of all workers and represent the idea of a union. M. L'Allier explains that the 'tug-of-war' is meant to show the strength of pooling resources; workers "pulling in the same direction to achieve better conditions and a more effective public sector."