The US is a federal state. This gives states a fair degree of independence. Maine argues that it does not want to be be part of US federal government GATS commitments in a whole range of areas including health and landzoning requirements. Maine also seeks social procurement and wants to prevent sweatshops.
The US state of Maine has followed Oregon in demanding extensive carve-outs from the WTO-GATS, current negotiations as well as existing commitments.
Below are extracts from a letter (...)

The effect of the EU Neighbourhood policy on public services in the neighbourhood countries is pervasive argues a new Public Services International Research Unit research paper commissioned by EPSU.

A large group of trade unions and NGOs has signed up to a statement on the Doha Development Round. It is called a recipe for the massive destruction of livelihoods, mass unemployment and the degradation of work. PSI has been active in drafting this statement. EPSU has signed on to the statement as well. The group calls on the WTO members to:
put a moratorium on the present negotiations; and
undertake full public assessments of the employment, social, environmental and cultural impacts of (...)

The ETUC and several NGOs are organizing a demonstration 21 November 2005 in Brussels. The demo will put pressure on the Council and Commission. To read more see attached files.

Position of ETUC on the 6th WTO Ministerial conference (13-18 December 2005, Hong Kong)
Resolution adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee in their meeting held in Brussels on 19-20 October 2005

We are often told that trade liberalisation is positive and a win-win situation for developing as well as developed countries. That is why the round of negotiations to lower trade barriers and tariffs (Doha) is called a Development Round. This is then accompanied by economic models that demonstrate these benefits. More recent analysis including of the World Bank, questions the possible gains from further trade liberalization. 80% of the gains appear to have evaporated.
Frank Ackerman, (...)

The trade unions and many NGOs worked on a joint statement to demand that negotiators on GATS get serious on taking workers and citizens interests into account, and to prevent that countries get pressured into accepting unfair deals. EPSU supports the statement. The statement is sent on behalf of 148 organisations and several have endorsed it since. It is sent to all WTO delegations in Geneva and to the Chairs of the General Council and the Council on Trade in Services in Special Session (...)

The European Commission has proposed to follow a benchmark approach in the GATS negotiations of the WTO. The EU non-paper argues that there is a crisis in the GATS negotiations which has created a need for drastic measures such as proposed in their document. Other WTO members, such as the representatives of Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, and India who took part in the trade union/NGO meetings on GATS in Geneva over 28-30 June, would refute such an interpretation, arguing instead that (...)

The ETUC has requested the Commission to reconsider its current negotiating position in GATS and to change its negotiating tactics. The Commission is now pursuing a so-called benchmark approach which would oblige countries including many developing countries to make commitments to open up their services. Another area of concern is that the Commission is considering to introduce a quota system for access to the EU labour market for qualified workers from beyond the EU. For the ETUC press (...)

Opinion adopted by the EESC Plenary session on 8 and 9 June 2005 The GATS Mode 4 negotiations are considered to be a key element in ongoing WTO negotiations for opening up international trade in services. The presence of natural persons is the fourth mode in which services are provided.