March, 2003
A discussion paper released today on fair pay for nurses and midwives is a substantial and researched contribution to achieving pay equity," Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
Union members around the world joined protest marches on Saturday opposing the invasion of Iraq.
"Many New Zealand workers suffer unnecessarily from the harmful effects of hazardous substances because their employers disregard minimum standards," said the Council of Trade Unions health and safety co-ordinator Greg Lloyd, today.
"There is no legal or moral justification for the US led war against Iraq which will result in certain death for countless innocent people," Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
A delegation of union leaders headed by the Council of Trade Unions will meet Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Michael Cullen tomorrow morning to voice concerns about New Zealand's commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
"Giving workers a chance to have a direct dialogue with the Prime Minister and senior Ministers is an important feature of the social partnership relationship between the Clark Government and the Council of Trade Unions," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.
"It's time to face the fact that the market will not deliver fair pay for all workers," said Council of Trade Unions vice president Darien Fenton today.Tomorrow is International Women's Day and the international trade union movement is launching a worldwide call for "Pay Equity Now!"
"Equal pay is a fundamental right, but worldwide, women are still paid between 10% and 50% less than men for doing similar work or jobs of comparable worth," said Darien Fenton.
"Pay equity is about creating an inclusive society where all are valued for the work they perform, particularly for women, Maori, Pacific and migrant workers."
Darien Fenton said it was time for Government to put Pay Equity at the front of the agenda for equality and put in place measures that end discrimination.
This year the ILO will produce its Global Report on Discrimination which shows that decentralisation of bargaining has had a negative impact on equality and pay equity.
"To turn that around we need to build union membership and we need greater support for collective bargaining," said Darien Fenton.
"We need to recognise and revalue the work that women do, in particular in areas such as aged care."
"Anti-freeloader provisions in collective agreements have been approved by the International Labour Organisation as entirely consistent with freedom of association principles," Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
Pacific workers can find information about employment issues and joining their union at the Council of Trade Union's Komiti Pasefika tent at Saturday's Pasefika Festival.The trade union tent will be erected in the Samoan village.
The CTU Komiti Pasefika will be aiming to increase Pacific workers understanding of employment issues and the importance of being part of a union.
"It is important for unions to be responsive and inclusive of Pacific perspectives. We need to build on the strengths of collectivism and bring together Pasefika peoples values and union values," said Komiti Pasefika's Cheryl Talamaivao.
No'ora Samuela, co-convenor of the CTU Komiti Pasefika said it was important for unions to be present at gatherings which represent the diverse communities for the Pacific.
"We must involve our members from our Pacific communities and raise awareness of a greater understanding of their employment issues."
"Komiti Pasefika is made up of Pacific workers from all unions and is the vehicle to address the issues of Pacific Peoples and recognise union and cultural values in the workplace," said Cheryl Talamaivao
The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and the Council of Trade Unions will sign a Memorandum of Understanding tomorrow. Garry Moore, Chair of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, outlined today the two main goals:
- By 2005, no young person under 25 years will be out of work or training in our communities
- By 2009, all people in our communities will have the opportunity to be in work or training.
Paul Goulter, CTU secretary, said that the Memorandum signalled the intentions of both parties to co-operate to create improved opportunities for all New Zealanders to have a decent quality job.
"This landmark decision is a clear example of employer attempts to defeat the intent of the Employment Relations Act," Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.