July, 2005

Labour's election pledge to create thousands more Modern Apprenticeship places would help to build a strong skill base that would lead to improved wages and opportunities and a stronger economy, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

Speech by CTU president Ross Wilson to the Komiti Pasefika Biennial Fono, Wellington, 28th July 2005

Kia ora, Talofa lava, Kia orana, Malo e lelei. Welcome to the CTU Komiti Pasefika Biennial Fono. It is tremendously encouraging for me, as the CTU President, that this fono is so well attended. And this also reflects the very active programme of work over the past two years with some great achievements including the radio project, pasefika leaflets, the Western Springs Pacifica Festival and a very visible participation in CTU activities. I know that that is in large part due to the strong leadership which is provided by Efu and Meaole and Cheryl, and by other emerging leaders as well.

Economic and social development initiatives such as the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs would be put at risk by a National government, says Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson.

Labour's policy of interest-free student loans promised far more to those paying off loans than National's miserly plan for tax rebates on interest paid, Council of Trade Unions vice-president Helen Kelly said today.

Trade unionists from around the country are marking the announcement of the election date by handing out leaflets reminding voters that there's a lot at stake in this general election.

In a speech to the Christchurch CTU/Government post-Budget briefing, CTU president Ross Wilson explains why tax cuts will cost working people - and the threat posed if National wins the election.

Its the largest pay hike for more than a decade - but figures show that the increase is still modest.Download The Unionist (pdf, 400kb)

Maori economic, social and cultural development tops the agenda at the Council of Trade Unions three-day Biennial Hui which starts in Wellington tomorrow.More than 60 Maori trade unionists from around the country and a range of industries will be welcomed by CTU president Ross Wilson on Te Herenga Waka Marae at Victoria University.

The Minister of Maori Affairs, Parekura Horomia, will also address the hui on its opening day.

The hui theme is Te Ara Taumata Mo Nga Kaimahi Maori o Aotearoa, or The Way Forward for Maori Workers in New Zealand.

"The hui will focus on the role of unions in improving the well-being of whanau, hapu and iwi through education, skill development, and training opportunities," Ross Wilson said.

"Many Maori workers are disadvantaged and discriminated against in the workplace, many are low-paid and have been denied opportunities for advancement.

"The hui will come up with strategies to help Maori workers get a fair go."

The hui will also focus on working towards a union movement that's based on the partnership principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The CTU Biennial Conference, scheduled for October, would elect its first Maori vice-president.

"We want to build a union movement that recognises Maori as equal partners and puts Maori issues as a fundamental part of union work," Ross Wilson said.

The National Party's promise of tax cuts is a smokescreen to hide its real agenda of slashing wages and taking away gains in workplace legislation, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson told union members today.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard finds life tough going - thanks to the unions.Download The Unionist (pdf,400kb)

Employers calling for across-the-board tax cuts should look to redistributing their own large surplus more fairly, Council of Trade Unions economist Peter Conway said today. A recent Reserve Bank paper shows that corporate profits increased by 44 per cent from 2000 to 2004, while wages rose 8.3 per cent over the same period.

"It may suit employers to focus on the Government's surplus and tax issues rather than corporate profits and wages, but it is time that the employer surplus was put under real scrutiny," Peter Conway said.

The Reserve Bank bulletin's findings mean that 160,000 employers in the corporate sector have seen significant profit increases.

"There needs to be some discussion about how this should have been shared with workers through increased wages.

"Employer organisations supporting tax cuts need to explain to New Zealanders why profits went up by 44 per cent in four years and wages rose by only 8.3 per cent," he said.

"Why should the Government cut spending to fund tax cuts when it is the employers' profits that are the much bigger surplus?"

The National Party's industrial relations policy would wreck the tripartite productivity work which the OECD Report signals is the key to future economic growth, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

The 60 per cent reduction in workplace fatalities was a vindication of the 2002 health and safety law changes, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.The Department of Labour said the number of workplace deaths had dropped from 73 to 43 in the period from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005.

"There is no doubt that the election and training of almost 20,000 workplace health and safety representatives has made a very important contribution to the safety of New Zealand workplaces," Ross Wilson said.

Independent evaluators have reported on signs of a 'sea change' towards health and safety in workplaces following the introduction of the new worker participation systems.

"The implementation and training of health and safety representatives is an outstanding example of a successful partnership between the unions, business and ACC.

"It is very satisfying to see such a dramatic improvement," Ross Wilson said. "One death per year is too many and zero is our target."