THE UNIONIST: Work rights improvements, Blackball, work of cleaners valued

New Zealanders' right to fairness at work is still as relevant a fight as ever, 100 years on from the crib strike in Blackball, writes the Unionist this week.  We also report on an agreement for commercial cleaners signed today, and give the weekly round up of union events and meetings.

Fairness at work still relevant as ever

"New Zealanders' right to fairness at work is still as relevant a fight as ever, 100 years on from the crib strike in Blackball," Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said last weekend, ahead of celebrations on the West Coast.

Several hundred unionists and West Coast residents celebrated the centenary of the 1908 Blackball “crib-time” strike, an event that led to the formation of the first national unions and the first trade union federation and later to the birth of the NZ Labour Party.

"100 years on from when miners in Blackball struck for a decent meal break, New Zealand workers are still organising industrially and politically for better conditions at work," Helen Kelly said last Friday.

"The last 8 years through the eyes of workers have seen steady improvements to their lives and unions want to keep building better and stronger work rights, through improvements in areas like paid parental leave, protections for casual workers and tackling excessive hours and low pay."

March through Blackball, Saturday 22 March.

"Like the miners in 1908, workers today see the value of collective action. A strong and unified union movement stood up to the attacks on work rights during the 2006 and 2007 lockouts of hundreds of low paid workers in supermarket supply chains and the country's hospitals, and forced the companies to back down on their attempts to bully and starve workers into submission."

Work Rights Announcement at Blackball
At the celebrations over the weekend, the government announced strengthened worker rights through plans to put minimum meal and rest break requirements into the law, along with a code of practice to promote breastfeeding in the workplace.

Welcoming the moves, the CTU said the increased provisions were good steps in continuing to improve the minimum work rights that New Zealand workers could expect.

“100 years ago miners on the West Coast struck for a decent meal break. Many workers may well be surprised that meal and refreshment breaks are not guaranteed in law, and it is fitting that this legislative right is announced at Blackball,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“Time and access to facilities will be a welcome move for breastfeeding mums at work, and brings New Zealand into line with the 92 other countries who have signed up to this international obligation.”

“Breast feeding mums need to feel confident that workplaces have policies in place and a culture that supports them and their babies in the workplace. Some employers have recognised the need for this, and a guaranteed work right will help ensure this is more accessible.”

Property agreement recognises value of cleaners 

“The work of thousands of low paid cleaners is being valued and recognised today through a landmark agreement signed by the cleaners’ union, members of the property services industry and government,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Rosita Vai sings at the launch today

The “Principles for a Sustainable Property Services Industry” agreement was initiated two years ago through a campaign by the Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota with unions in Australia, to address the poor pay and conditions experienced by commercial cleaners.

“Lifting low wages and improving other conditions of work can only be done effectively if it is done on an industry wide basis.”

“Responsible contractor policies and principles agreements like the one launched today, and in particular industry wide collective bargaining, provides the best opportunity and framework for addressing working conditions and wages.”

“The principles document signed today may prove a useful model for other industries and I congratulate all the parties - the union, government and property industry representatives - who signed it today,” Carol Beaumont said.

Weekly Events Calendar

Unions Local

Unions Wellington - election planning 
Tuesday 1 April, 4:00 p.m.
NZCTU Boardroom, Wellington
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Waikato
Wednesday 2 April 2008, 5.15pm
Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton
waikatotuc@xtra.co.nz

Unions Gisborne
Wed 9 April, 5.15pm
Trade Union Centre - Cnr Childers Rd and Customhouse Street
Colleen.Ryan@ndu.org.nz

Unions Tauranga
Mon 14 April, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Wed 23 April, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues April 15, 7pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch
karena.brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue 29 April, 4pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions West Coast
Meeting times being planned, contact Paul Maunder (wkcultur@ihug.co.nz) with your suggestions for times that suit.

Other Events and Campaigns

Workers Memorial Day
Workers Memorial Day is on April 28th each year and is the day when we “mourn for the dead, but fight for the living”, drawing attention to the plight of the hundreds of New Zealand workers who still die every year as a result of their work.   As they come in, events are being added to this page on the CTU website: http://union.org.nz/campaigns/workersmemorialday.  Visit this page for details of events in your area.

First Friday Drinks
Unions Wellington First Friday Drinks
Friday April 4th, from 5:30’ish, Abel Tasman Hotel, cnr Willis and Dixon.

CTU-Government forums
Wellington: Wednesday April 16 
Wanganui mini forum: Thursday April 19
Contact your union more details, or Andrew Chick at the CTU: andrewc@nzctu.org.nz

The Hollow Men - in Auckland
Highly-acclaimed New Zealand play The Hollow Men comes to Auckland in April for a strictly limited season.  Based on Nicky Hager’s controversial book and adapted by Dean Parker, The Hollow Men is at Maidment Theatre, Auckland from Thursday 10 April to Saturday 19 April for 10 performances only.  The Hollow Men examines the months of Don Brash’s leadership of the National Party leading up to the 2005 election and is a riveting piece of new documentary theatre.

Manawatu MayDay Concert
The 14th annual Manawatu MayDay Concert, celebrating International Workers Day, will be held at 7.30pm Saturday 3 May at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North. Its a great night of fun and solidarity in the form of song, music, dance and performance art from union, community groups and individuals from throughout NZ. Entry fee is a mere gold coin donation thanks to major support by the NZCTU. For more info contact dion.martin@ndu.org.nz

Unions Wellington May Day Dinner
6:00 - 9:30 p.m - Thursday May 1st
Grand Century Restaurant, Tory Street
[Unions will be buying ‘tables’, and tickets will be available from your union]

Wellington Workers Education Association Forums
Mondays from 12:10 -1:00 p.m
WEA Rooms, third floor, Anvil House
138 Wakefield Street {opposite Michael Fowler Centre]

A Cuban Celebration
Friday April 4th from 7:00 p.m. 
Food, Drink & Live Latin music
Organised by the Wellington Cuban Friendship Society.
Tickets and more info: pbolster@anet.co.nz

CTU Meetings, Training

CTU Low Pay meeting
Tuesday 8th April 2008, 9.30 to 12.30
NDU Offices, 120 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland
peterc@nzctu.org.nz

CTU OSH Group (Occupational Safety and Health Group)
Thursday 17th April, 9am – 4pm
NZCTU National Office, Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St., Wellington
rosaleenl@nzctu.org.nz

Learning Reps Training: Progressive Enterprises
Thursday & Friday, 10th & 11th April
NDU Offices, 120 Church St, Onehunga, Auckland
marym@nzctu.org.nz  

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.

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 2 workshops - Register now for one of these workshops:

Friday 11 April 2008, 9 am - 4.30 pm – Petone, Wellington Thursday 22 May 2008, 9 am - 4.30 pm - Manukau, South Auckland

CANCELLED Wednesday 2 April 2008, 9 am - 4.30 pm – New Plymouth CANCELLED CANCELLED Friday 4 April 2008, 9 am - 4.30 pm – Palmerston North REGISTRATIONS TRANSFERRED TO PETONE

Dates for 2008 workshops and Registration forms for these workshops above 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.
Email Sandy - productivity@nzctu.org.nz.
Check out the WPEP website for more information: http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html