News

In The Unionist this week: National's plans for accident compensation, new work rights to request flexible working arrangements come in to force, the launch of the EPMU's work rights campaign, and economic news this week.

The Council of Trade Unions is today asking National to explain how their plan for ‘choice’ in accident compensation could benefit anyone in New Zealand.

“Workers don’t want ACC to be opened up to competition, a move which will take away choice, not give it,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

News that the Australian insurance industry is lining up to profit over National’s secret plans to privatise ACC means the party must come clean on their intentions, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

“A new work right for employees with care responsibilities to request flexible working arrangements reflects workers’ increasing need for balance in their lives,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today, ahead of the new flexible work law coming into effect tomorrow.

A lot has been said about the need to increase productivity in New Zealand workplaces.  What we need to see more of is steps to achieve this, and so I was pleased last week to attend the launch of an initiative by two unions who are set about doing just this.

The Unionist reports on an election poll out this week showing people dont want cuts to public services to pay for tax cuts, a new centre aimed at improving work and lifting wages, work rights for casuals and today's economic news.

The CTU has today congratulated both the EPMU and Dairy Workers' Union on the launch of the Centre for High Performance Work.

The Council of Trade Unions today joined international unions in calling for an end to the intimidation and oppression of union and democracy campaigners in Zimbabwe, as conditions in the country worsened.

“The rights at work for casual workers are about to get better, and no party should stand it the way of this much needed law change,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today.

The Unionist this week reports on the 'Hollow Men' film about to screen around New Zealand, a push for greater cover for injured workers, a call for business to play ball over climate change, and the debate on migration prompted by fish processing redundancies in Nelson.