December, 2006

“While most of us are enjoying time with friends and families today, let’s spare a thought for those at work on Christmas Day today and during the New Year holidays,” said CTU president Ross Wilson.

The September quarter GDP figures look back on the recent dip in economic activity when in fact the economy is now picking up, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

"It’s great that Bill English is now supporting the plight of workers," CTU president Ross Wilson said.

"Unions will continue to put the heat on companies who stubbornly pay rates at around the minimum wage level and who are responsible for our low wage crisis," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“From our own experience we would expect a significant number of personal grievances to be resolved at the workplace level, so it comes as no surprise that this is what EMA Northern have found in their survey,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

The new Learning Reps project is welcome and long overdue, according to the first reps to be trained in their role, writes the Unionist this week.

"The devil is in the detail in industrial relations, and the CTU will be interested to explore with John Key his new approach to it," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

National Party leader John Key was today reported as saying New Zealand's industrial relations legislation is reasonable and a future National government would not plan any major changes to it.

Two hundred union delegates from 22 affiliates around the Wellington region met on Wednesday for the 3rd CTU-Government Forum of the year, writes the Unionist this week.  We also report on Fiji, and annouce the winners of last week's book giveaway!

Either read on, or download a printable version here (PDF file, 101 kb).

Hospitals would benefit from having a multi-employer collective agreement for service and support workers, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

“Unions in Australia and New Zealand are supporting the call for working people in Fiji to demonstrate peaceful resistance to the failing coup,” the Australian and New Zealand Councils of Trade Unions said today.

"The success of primary healthcare workers is a strong signal that with the right will and intent, private sector employers can bargain collectively for industry standards in pay in conditions," CTU president Ross Wilson said.

“By imposing minimal fines in health and safety cases the Courts are undermining the intent of Parliament and contributing to conditions which may result in further accidents and deaths,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

NZ Herald Opinion Pages Contribution from Ross Wilson
President, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

Paul Jarvie from the Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern (Herald 1.11.06) tells us that the ACC scheme is the best in the world for employees, but suggests employers get a rough deal. 

“Union delegates are the lifeblood of our movement, and as 200 delegates gather in Wellington today we will be honouring the contribution they make to workplaces and society,” said CTU secretary Carol Beaumont on International Volunteer Day today.

“Unions will continue to advocate for a rights based approach to immigration that focuses on decent work for all workers – migrant or local,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

"Young McDonalds workers getting organised in the Unite Union for movement on youth rates have set an example for others to foll

The Australian Council of Trade Unions and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions today issued a joint call for the military and the Government of Fiji to negotiate a peaceful settlement that would maintain the country’s democracy.

New Zealand unionists took to the streets in Auckland and Wellington yesterday in solidarity with Australian workers, writes the Unionist this week.  We also report on Kris Rondeua's visit, two new books of interest to unionists, and give you the round up of upcoming CTU events, meetings and training.