The Unionist, Issue 72, March 30, 2007

Four weeks annual leave is a union victory for all workers, writes the Unionist this week.  We also report on the CTU forum on election campaign funding, and home affordability.

Either read on, or you can download a printable version here: (PDF file, 63 kb)

Four Weeks Annual Leave A Union Victory For All Workers 

“Working New Zealanders should take a moment on Sunday to reflect on the success of the union movement campaign in achieving a fourth week of annual leave for all workers,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“Representing more than 350,000 union members the CTU is the largest democratic organisation in the country, but the campaign for four weeks annual leave is a clear example of the role that the union movement plays on behalf of all working people in New Zealand.”

“The fourth week of leave will set a fairer minimum standard and will help workers get more balance in their lives and meet commitments to their families and community, and other cultural obligations.  Australia has had four weeks annual leave for over 30 years, and this finally brings us into line.”

“This is also a reflection of the success of MMP, and the work of a coalition of political parties in achieving the fourth week of annual leave.”

“Unions are proud to have lead the campaign for four weeks annual leave and to add it to the long list of achievements under the Labour led Governments of the past 7 years including the minimum wage increases for low paid workers which also make this Sunday a milestone for working New Zealanders to celebrate.”

Big Turnout For CTU Forum On Election Funding 

250 people filled a downtown Wellington lecture theatre on Tuesday to hear Nicky Hager, Andrew Geddis and Therese Arseneau comment on election campaign financing and what needs to change to ensure greater participation in the democratic process.  The presentations from the three speakers was followed by an hour of discussion and debate from the floor.

For those unable to be at the forum, there are two further ways to access the debate.  A podcast of the forum is available now on the CTU website http://union.org.nz/event/hollowmenMarch07, and Chris Laidlaw’s show this Sunday morning on Radio New Zealand will feature the three speakers from Tuesday night in a panel discussion on ‘The Sunday Group’, just after the 10am news.

Home Affordability Under Scrutinity This Week  

“Regular wage increases and workers accessing KiwiSaver are two vital ingredients in tackling the high cost of home ownership which is increasingly out of reach for many Kiwis,” CTU Economist Peter Conway said on Wednesday, on the back of two reports documenting the gap between incomes and house prices.

“There are a number of policy options that need to be looked at, including increased state housing stock and some form of capital gains tax on investment property. The Commerce Select Committee’s inquiry into housing affordability is an important place for these debates and the CTU is encouraging wide participation in the inquiry.”

Later in the week the Commerce Select Committee announced its terms of reference for the inquiry.

They include identifying which components of the cost of housing can and should be brought under control to increase the affordability of housing, and identifying intervention programs that may improve the ability of individuals and families to purchase a home.

Consideration would also be given to ‘shared equity’ and ‘rent to buy” schemes, the capitalisation of benefits, and the role of state housing stock and third sector housing organisations.

Submissions are due on 15 June 2007.

CTU Weekly Events Calendar  

Unions Local

Tue April 10 2007, 5pm. 
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Southland
Tues April 10 2007, 4pm,
Trades Hall, Invercargill
Dayle.Belcher@nzei.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur April 12, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Tauranga
Mon 16 April, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Manawatu Planning Day
Monday 16 April
2:30 – 4:30pm
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

May Day Organising Committee
Unions Wellington
Tuesday 3rd April, 4:30 p.m.
NZCTU Board Room
7th Floor Education House
178 Willis Street
Wellington

Unions Canterbury
Tues April 17, 4pm
Trade Union Centre, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz
Other Events and Campaigns

Other Campaigns and Events 

Workers Education Association Forum:
“The Neo-Proletariat”
Dr. Paul O’Neil,
Industrial Relations Centre, Victoria University
Monday 2nd April 12:10 - 1:00 p.m.
Centre for Global Action, 2nd Floor, James Smiths Bldg, cnr. Cuba St & Manners Mall
Wellington,
pbolster@anet.co.nz

The Red Flag Social Club
The Red Flag Social Club invites you to a sociable evening at Trades Hall, 149 Great North Road, Grey Lynn on Friday 30 March starting at 5.00pm. Come and join us for a sociable drink in pleasant surroundings.
Ros Hiini, Organiser, Working Women’s Resource Centre. Phone 09 379 7906, email wwrc@ihug.co.nz

CTU Meetings and Training

CTU Employment Law Workgroup
Wed 11 April, 10am to 1pm.
CTU Boardroom, Wellington.
rossw@nzctu.org.nz

Learning Reps Training, Stage 1
Tuesday/Wednesday 17 & 18 April,  9am-4.30pm
Seminar Rooms, EPMU
298 Cashel St, Christchurch
marym@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Out@Work Kamp for GLBTI unionists and union supporters
Thurs 19 April 10am to Friday 20 April 4pm.
Wainuiomata Outdoor Education Centre,
Wellington.
http://www.union.org.nz/about/out_work.html
eileenb@nzctu.org.nz

Workplace Productivity Challenge: Exploring Workplace Productivity Issues. 
There is no charge to attend, and some assistance is available for travel and other associated costs. Seminars are as follows

Wed 4 April, 9am-4.30pm
AMI Building, 2nd Floor
Cnr Ronwood Ave/Osterley Way, Manukau
EREL deadline March 21, but other late enrolments will be accepted sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by March 28

Tues 17 April, 9am-4.30
Edgar Sports Centre
Cnr Portsmouth Drive and Midland Street, Dunedin EREL deadline April 3 sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Apr 10

Wed 18 April, 9am-4.30pm
Trade Union Centre, 2 Lipton Place, Onekawa, Napier EREL deadline 4 April sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Apr 11

Tues 1 May, 9am-4.30pm
The Methodist Centre, 62 London Street, Hamilton EREL deadline April 17 sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Apr 26

Thurs 3 May, 9am-4.30pm
EPMU training room, 298 Cashell St, Christchurch EREL deadline April 19 sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Apr 26

Wed 16 May, 9am-4.30pm
Barge Park Showgrounds, State Highway 14, Manu, Whangarei EREL deadline May 2 sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by May 9

Tues 29 May, 9am-4.30pm
Willowhaven, 31 Beaumont Rd, Ngongotaha, Rotorua EREL deadline May 15 sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by May 8

June: further workshops to be held Palmerston North, Invercargill and Wellington More details at: http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html

Contact  
If you have any information about upcoming CTU events please contact:
Sam Huggard - (04) 802 3817, email: samh@nzctu.org.nz