The Unionist Issue 30, 30.11.2005

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The Unionist Re-launched

Greetings from the Communications and Campaigns office at the NZ Council of Trade Unions. After a break for the election, and a change of communications personnel at the CTU, The Unionist is being started again. Over the next few months we are considering what improvements might be made to this and other communications from the CTU. Until Christmas however, this publication will continue essentially as is, with updates planned for the new year.

Feedback

A quick email was sent out to CTU affiliates seeking feedback on The Unionist. Feedback received included the need to be able to read material without having to open large attachments, sticking to the double sided A4 format, keeping the "upcoming dates" section, suggestions for more economics, using the publication to signal upcoming major campaigns by unions and the need to have material relevant for wider union branch structures (ie not just officials). There are a number of directions The Unionist could take, and any further feedback on this is welcome, to samh@nzctu.org.nz / 04-802-3817.

SuperSizeMyPay Campaign launched

The Unite Union last week launched their SuperSizeMyPay campaign, with a high profile picket outside Starbucks in Auckland's K' Rd. Campaign coordinator Simon Oosterman said the minimum wage is now the most important determining factor for low paid workers. "Raising the minimum wage to $12, removing youth rates, giving secure hours and other minimum entitlements would be the first step towards reclaiming what entitlements workers have lost and alleviating poverty and inequality," he said

The Council of Trade Unions supported the protest. President Ross Wilson said workers in the fast food industry are often on, or close to, minimum wage levels, and a lift in the adult minimum wage to $12 an hour and the removal of youth rates would make a real difference to the incomes of these workers.

Kate Sheppard Memorial Award Trust

The Kate Sheppard Memorial Award Trust was set up to establish an annual award to provide an opportunity for a New Zealand woman (either citizen or permanent resident) to develop her potential by undertaking a special project or post graduate study of value to the wider New Zealand community. The Council of Trade Unions is represented on the Trust.

The 2006 Award value is $5,000 and applications close on 30th June 2006. The successful recipient will be announced on NZ Women's Suffrage Day (19 September 2006). Applications can be downloaded from www.geocities.com/katesheppardaward or will be sent out once a stamped addressed envelope has been received by the 'Kate Sheppard Memorial Award Trust, PO Box 29-516, Fendalton, Christchurch'.

Karena Brown is the CTU representative on the Trust, and she encourages union people to contact her. Her details are:

Karena Brown
CTU Representative
Kate Sheppard Memorial Award Trust
C/o EPMU
298 Cashel Street, Christchurch
DDI: 03-3530-283
Mobile: 0275-498479
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Upcoming Events

CTU Local Affiliate Council meetings

Auckland LAC and AGM
Tues 6 Dec, 2pm
EMPU, 9 Madeira Lane, Grafton.
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Waikato LAC
Thur 8 Dec, 5.15pm
TUC, 34 Harwood St Hamilton
jamesr@nzdwu.org.nz

Wairarapa LAC (Wailac)
Tues 6 Dec, 9.30 am
Wairarapa Union Centre, 6 Perry St, Masterton
dave_morgan@xtra.co.nz

Wellington LAC First Friday Drinks
Fri 2 Dec, after work
The Abel Tasman Hotel, cnr Dixon and Willis Sts
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Nelson LAC
Tues 13 Dec, 10-12, followed by lunch together
Trailways Nelson Motor Inn, Trafalgar St.
CHorn@nduunion.org.nz

Canterbury Unions social event
Fri 16 Dec, 5.30pm onwards
Trade Union Centre, 199 Armagh Street, ChCh
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Otago LAC
Mon Dec 12, time tbc
TBC
Cynthia.McInnes@nzei.org.nz

Other events

Wellington YUM/Unite Youth Rates Protest
Wed 30 Nov, 12.30
Manners Mall
grace.millar@claw.org.nz

CTU Runanga
Fri 2 Dec, all day
CTU Boardroom
thomasw@nzctu.org.nz

Human Rights for Women in Burma
Speaker: Seik Nyan, CTU Intern
Fri 9 Dec, 12-2pm
CTU Boardroom
samh@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Food Industry Group
Mon 12 Dec, 11am
CTU Boardroom