THE UNIONIST: KiwiSaver, Public Services, Work Rights and more

The Unionist this week covers the confusion surrounding the National Party's stance on KiwiSaver, the call from the public service union for a reality check on tax cuts and social spending, proposed new work rights covering meal and breastfeeding breaks and climate change.

Nats' KiwiSaver stance in question

The National Party's plans for KiwiSaver came under intense scrutiny this week, following differing statements from the party's industrial relations spokesperson and leader.

On Tuesday National's industrial relations spokesperson Kate Wilkinson reportedly told a business audience in Wellington that her party was not in favour of compulsion, after a question from the floor on National’s plan's for the compulsory employer tax credit.

National leader John Key was forced to confirm later in the day that they would retain compulsory employer contributions, but refused to give details.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union said that National were playing a dangerous game with New Zealanders' futures by refusing to front on its plans for Kiwisaver contributions.

"In the space of a few hours the National Party has offered a ‘no, yes, maybe' on this issue and when working people are making long-term decisions about their retirement this is absurd,” EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little said on Tuesday.

"Kiwis are trying to make a long-term investment in which even a percent here or there can mean many tens of thousands of dollars when they retire and that's money National is putting at risk.”

The EPMU published estimates on Thursday (see graph, at right) about the impact on the average worker in a KiwiSaver scheme of changes to the employer contributions, following a report in the Dominion Post that business groups were pressuring National to let them offset KiwiSaver contributions against wage rises.

The EPMU said such a change to Kiwisaver would put Kiwi workers even further behind their Australian counterparts.

"For months National has been complaining about the wage gap with Australia and business has been complaining about skills shortages but if they think the answer is to take workers' super payments out of their wages then they are kidding themselves.

"If an average worker has their employer contribution deducted from their wages they'll be left a hundred and ninety thousand dollars out of pocket at the end of their working life. Business reps might not think that's a lot but to most New Zealanders it's serious money," Andrew Little said.

Earlier this year the CTU called on National to come clean on worker rights after spokesperson Kate Wilkinson’s comments to an Auckland conference fudged National’s intentions in this area.

Time for Answers on Where Tax Cuts Come From: PSA

The country’s largest union has issued a please explain to political parties, in an attempt to foster a more balanced debate about the impact of tax cuts on social spending.

"The maths are clear. To pay for large tax cuts, money either needs to be borrowed or cut from public services," Public Service Association National Secretary Brenda Pilott said this week.

She said the union is increasingly concerned about a one-sided debate about tax cuts, with little to no detail from parties about what services will be cut to pay for them.  PSA has sent questions to all parties to try to foster a more balanced debate.

“The PSA thinks New Zealanders who want strong public services deserve a more rounded debate. Because paying for big tax cuts isn't free and New Zealand can't afford weaker public services.”

"We understand the pressure that rising petrol prices and interest rates put on working families," says Brenda Pilott. "We appreciate why tax relief is welcome, but worry about high user fees and out-of-pocket costs if services that families need get cut."

"Public services keep New Zealanders healthy, educated and safe," says Brenda Pilott. "Strong public services aren't incidental to people. They deserve more debate than they've got so far."

"New Zealanders shouldn't be left in the dark about where new tax cuts come from.  There's a lot at stake in this election. If parties can be specific about taxes, they can be specific about other things, too," says Brenda Pilott.

Bidding war has risks
Meanwhile CTU Economist Peter Conway said yesterday in the CTU Monthly Economic Bulletin that Budget 2008 showed that relatively modest tax cuts nevertheless use up a large amount of money.

"The annual average cost of the tax cuts is $3.7 billion. John Key had been quoted prior to the Budget as saying that National would have bigger tax cuts. Last October I commented in this Bulletin that for the National Party it seemed that no matter what the question is - the answer is always tax cuts. That stance seemed to wilt somewhat within hours of last week's budget. But - a bidding war on tax cuts is still possible - and carries some real risks."  Click here for the full comment in 'Economic Bulletin'.

Audio/video: click here to listen to hear the PSA on Radio NZ's Morning Report on Monday (or the podcast here). (Note: Radio NZ interviews are typically up on the website for seven days only).  More text-only links are here: Radio NZ -- Newstalk ZB -- NZPA.

Work rights would be enhanced by meal and breastfeeding breaks

Increased provisions for meal and refreshment and breastfeeding breaks would continue to improve the rights at work for Kiwi workers, the Council of Trade Unions said yesterday.

“Providing a statutory right to rest and meal breaks is a very significant contribution to securing fair working conditions for many workers, but especially workers who we know are vulnerable,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“Some workers, especially in sectors like retail, fast food and hospitality are routinely not getting rest and meal breaks. This Bill is necessary to ensure, and enforce, that all workers have assured entitlements to rest and meal breaks.”

“And similarly while some employers have come on board with breaks and facilities for breastfeeding mums, a guaranteed work right will help ensure this is more accessible.”

“Breast feeding contributes to overall health goals and is essential in achieving better health outcomes for babies, children, mother and better long-term health outcomes for the population.  Ensuring breastfeeding mums have the ability to feed at work is an important contribution to this.” 

Audio/video: click here to listen to hear the CTU on Morning Report today (or the podcast here). (Note: Radio NZ interviews are typically up on the website for seven days only).

Time for industry to step up to the plate on climate change

The Council of Trade Unions this week called on industry to be more constructive on climate change issues.

"Unions have supported business concerns about the time frame for the phase out of free allocation of carbon credits. Now the proposed government changes mean the 90% free allocation will remain in place until 2018 rather than 2013 and the phase out would be completed in 2030 rather than 2025. In addition there will be five-yearly reviews," CTU economist Peter Conway said.

"However it is disappointing that some sections of the business community, in spite of that compromise, are now trying to scuttle the Bill before Parliament, creating the impression that these firms do not want to be part of the solution to global warming," Conway said.

Click here for the full statement.

Weekly Events Calendar

Unions Local

Unions Tauranga
Tues June 3, 1pm (note different date, this month only)
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Wellington, incl AGM
Tuesday June 3, 4-6pm. 
NZCTU Boardroom, Lv 7, Education House, 178 Willis Street
pbolster@anet.co.nz 

Unions Gisborne
Wed June 4, 5.15pm
Trade Union Centre - Cnr Childers Rd and Customhouse Street
Colleen.Ryan@ndu.org.nz 

Unions Auckland
Thur June 5, 4pm (note different date, this month only)
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Friday June 6, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz 

Unions Otago
Monday June 9, 4.30pm
NZNO, Level 2, 7 Crawford St, Dunedin
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues June 17, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch
karena.brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Waikato
Tues June 24, 5.15 pm
Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton.
rob.george@nzei.org.nz  

Unions Northland
Wed June 25, 4pm (note different date, this month only)
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Friday June 27 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz 

Unions Wellington
Tues July 2, 4-6pm.
NZCTU Boardroom, Lv 7, Education House, 178 Willis Street
george.collins@epmu.org.nz

Other Events and Campaigns

NAU MAI HAERE MAI
Nga koutou o te motu
Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi Maori o Aotearoa in conjunction with friends of Hone Tuwhare, are holding an informal commemoration, where we will celebrate Hone’s life and work.  We have chosen Matariki, often a time of reflection, to commemorate Hone’s life.
Time:  1400 – 1700 hrs
Date:  Saturday 21 June 2008
Place: Auditorium, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, Corner Molesworth & Aitken Streets, Wellington

15 Days in Cuba
Travel, accommodation and food for just $500NZD.
Group discount flight = $3469.
Possibly interested - contact Gillian at the N.D.U.
gillian.magee@ndu.org.nz

Out Takes - Queer Film Festival
Out Takes: A Reel Queer Film Festival will operate in a different format this year in order to fund raise for a full festival in 2009. Reel Queer Inc has been organising New Zealand's annual queer film festival - Out Takes - for the past thirteen years. The all-volunteer Reel Queer team is currently focused on fundraising to bring our community a full Out Takes film festival again in 2009. Plans for special film screenings throughout 2008 are underway and details of their first fundraising events In June have now been announced.  See the website for more info: http://www.outtakes.org.nz

CTU Meetings, Training

Maori Models of Organising - Nga Momo Whakaritenga
6 courses commencing in July across the country. Details will be advised closer to the time, but early enquiries to helent@nzctu.org.nz or 09-303-9018.

Developing Human Capability.   
A CTU session for union leaders and those with an interest in the field - with three visiting academics all involved in research on skills acquisition, and the application of skills in the workplace and links with productivity.  Ewart Keep - (Cardiff University), Ken Mayhew -(Oxford University) and John Buchannan – (Workplace Research Centre , University of Sydney).   John is best known for his work on developing Skills eco-systems in Australia.  
At the CTU  6th June – morning (probably 9.30 am – exact time will be advised).
More info: donf@nzctu.org.nz

Workplace Productivity Challenge Workshop 
There is no charge to attend the Productivity Challenge which is an EREL-approved course. Financial assistance is available for travel, wage reimbursement (if not on EREL or other leave) and other associated costs. There are places available in the following 3 workshops - Register now for one of these workshops:
- Monday 9 June, 9 am - 4.30 pm, Whangarei
- Monday 30 June, 9 am - 4.30 pm, Dunedin – NOTE Changed Date from previous advertising
- Friday 11 July, 9 am - 4.30 pm, Mangere East South Auckland
- Monday 14 July, 9 am - 4.30 pm, Wanganui (TBC – but please register interest now)
- Tuesday 15 July, 9 am - 4.30 pm, Christchurch
- Friday 18 July, 9 am - 4.30 pm, Wellington Central

Dates for 2008 workshops and Registration forms for these workshops are on the CTU website. If you wish to register interest in a future workshop please tell us your name and location and details of how to contact you. We will cater to demand and arrange something to suit you if you cannot find a location that suits you in our current schedule.
Email Sandy - productivity@nzctu.org.nz.
Check out the WPEP website for more information: http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html