The Unionist, Issue 93, Nov 9 2007

The Unionist this week reports on the newest Unions Local, the CTU view on changes needed to immigration laws, and latest unemployment figures, as well as the weekly round up of CTU and other union events.

New Unions Local – Wanganui

16 people attended an initial meeting this week to form the newest CTU Unions Local group, Unions Wanganui.

CTU secretary Carol Beaumont spoke with the group at their meeting on Wednesday, which elected Kaye Hearfield to act as covnenor and Dave Feickert as Secretary.  The next meeting is on Friday 14 December, 4.30pm at the Unity Centre in Bell St.

Unions Local are the CTU Local Affiliates Councils in several regions in New Zealand, and come together to lead and co-ordinate local campaigns, education and media activity and provide a meeting point for union activists.

More information about CTU Unions Local is here http://union.org.nz/about/unions-local

Good Employer Requirements Needed In New Immigration Law

New immigration law currently going through Parliament must include “good employer” requirements for labour migration, the Council of Trade Unions will told a select committee yesterday.

“New Zealand wants to be an attractive destination for potential migrants.  A clear statement that people are coming to a country with good employer requirements will help to make New Zealand a more attractive destination in a competitive global market,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“And just as good employer requirements would help to attract migrants, a clear statement about good employer practice would also ensure that migration does not undermine the good employment and employer experiences of New Zealand workers.”

There are a number of ways of achieving this, including a pastoral care code for migrant labour or labour market impact statements with each labour migration policy.

“Our preferred option though is a code of good employer behaviour in an immigration context, along the same lines as the Code of Good Faith in the Employment Relations Act.  This could be developed through tripartite means as was the case in the ERA.”

The CTU’s submission is here: http://union.org.nz/ImmigrationBill2007

Low Unemployment Prompts Focus on Quality Work

Continuing low unemployment is very welcome and provides an opportunity to focus on work quality and employment security, the Council of Trade Unions said this week.

Statistics New Zealand’s quarterly Household Labour Force Participation survey out yesterday showed a tight labour market remains, with unemployment at 3.5%.

“The latest figures strongly support the Government’s active labour market approach which invests in people and boosts skills and training.  We need to see this continue, with an increased focus on the quality of work,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“The CTU thinks there are five features that will define decent, quality work and a modern workplace,” she said.

“It will be high wage and high value; it will be highly skilled; workplace practices will be based on fairness and respect; industries will be well networked and the importance of public services understood; and it will be healthy, safe and sustainable.”

With unemployment low employers needed to get moving with improving wages, as New Zealand was still in danger of losing workers to Australia where wages were on average 30 per cent higher, Beaumont added.

Click here to read the CTU’s recently released booklet Te Huarahi mo nga Kaimahi, which discusses decent work in detail: http://union.org.nz/policy/te-huarahi-mo-nga-kaimahi

Events Listing

Unions Local

Unions Tauranga
Mon Nov 12, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Otago
Mon Nov 12, 5.15pm.
NZNO, Victoria Chambers, 7 Crawford Street, Dunedin. 
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur Nov 15, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues Nov 20, 4pm (note revised time)
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue Nov 27 2007, 4pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri Nov 30, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Other Events and Campaigns

The Bruce Jesson Foundation and the Faculty of Arts present the 2007 Bruce Jesson Lecture
Friday 9 November, 6.30pm, bar open from 5.30pm.
Maidment Theatre  University of Auckland Alfred Street
Speaker: Laila Harre, National Secretary National Distribution Union.  The Relevance of Unions in the 21st Century.  See http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/about/events/2007/11/lectures/union.cfm for more.

Frederick George Evans Commemoration,
Sunday November 11, 11am, Waikaraka Park cemetery, Onehunga,
More info, see NDU release here: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0711/S00072.htm

Trade Union History Project invites you to the inaugural Rona Bailey Memorial Lecture, given by Robert Reid, National Distribution Union president. Friday 30 Nov, 6pm (drinks and nibbles from 5.30pm).  NZ Drama School (Toi Whakaari), 11 Huchison Road, Newtown.  Gold coin entry. Followed by party to celebrate the 20th birthday of the TUHP. More info: www.tuhp.org.nz.

CTU Meetings, Training

Out at Work Council
Friday 23 November, 09.30 – 3.30.
CTU Meeting Room, 178 Willis St, Education House, Level 7
eileenb@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Climate Change Working Group
Friday 14 December, 10am to 12.30pm
CTU Meeting Room, 178 Willis St, Education House, Level 7
peterc@nzctu.org.nz 

KIA HIWA RA!
KIA HIWA RA!
He tono tenei mai Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi o Aotearoa - Te Kauae Kaimahi ki nga kaimahi me nga uniana o te  motu, nau mai haere mai!
A call to unions and workers around the motu to register for an educational day of reflecting, refreshing and refocusing around union kaupapa, whanau, hapu and iwi development.
Where & When
Wellington - 1 November
Whangarei - 7 November
Napier - 14 November
Auckland 21 November
Contact Helen Te Hira
Helent@nzctu.org.nz / 09 303 9018 or 0210554969 Or Karen Newson, NZCTU Organizing Center karen@nzctu.org.nz / 09 303 9048

Workplace Productivity Challenge Workshop
There is no charge to attend the Productivity Challenge. Financial assistance is available to help with travel, wage reimbursement (if not on EREL or other leave) and other associated costs.

Next courses are:

Tuesday 20 November, 9 am - 4.30 pm
EPMU Training Room, 298 Cashel Street
Christchurch
EREL deadline 6 Nov
productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 13 November

Thursday 22 November, 9 am - 4.30 pm
Edgar Centre, Cnr Portsmouth Dr and Midland Street Dunedin EREL deadline 8 November productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 15 November

Register your interest:
If you are keen to attend a future workshop please tell us your name and location and details of how to contact you Email Sandy - productivity@nzctu.org.nz. Check out the WPEP website for more information: http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html

Other

New Zealand Institute of Safety Management Wellington Branch Training Seminar
Health, Safety and Productivity in Action
Weds 28 Nov 2007, 9am to 5pm, Conference Room, Mercy Centre, 15 Guildford Tce, off Hill Street, beside Parliament.
$140 for NZISM Members / $200 for non members
Participate in this workshop with others to explore your challenges and develop new inventive goals that will creative a healthy culture and improve productivity in your organisation; and create ideas to motivate, re-energise and influence your workplaces through changing gear in Health and Safety.
Expressions of interest welcome to Jen Breed on 0274306700 or jen.breed@xtra.co.nz or Bryan Watts, bryan.watts@clear.net.nz