Asbestos Campaign 2006

The CTU marked workers memorial day in 2006 by launching a campaign demanding lump sum ACC compensation for victims of asbestos related diseases

Victims of asbestos diseases do not get the same lump sum compensation as accident victims. And that is why the CTU has launched a campaign to persuade the Government to change the ACC scheme to make sure that they do. It is not an answer to say that it will cost too much to compensate these victims of past asbestos exposure.

What's new?

  • Australian unions and asbestos victims groups secure a final deal from James Hardies to compensate Australian victims of its asbestos products - Nov 21 2006.  Click here to read the Australian Council of Trade Unions media release, and click here to read their background document (links to external site - PDF document).

  • Court decision secures long-delayed justice for asbestos victims  - Oct 19 2006.
    In October 2006 a Court of Appeal decision confirmed that asbestos disease victims with pre-2002 workplace exposure are entitled to lump sum compensation from ACC.  The CTU’s media release is here.  You can access the Court of Appeal’s decision here (external link - opens a PDF document from the Ministry of Justice site).

  • Hardie Directors Feather Own Nest At Expense of Asbestos Victims - Sept 27 2006
  • CTU Launches Campaign for Asbestos Victims - 28 April 2006
  • The Unionist, 28 April 2006. CTU's weekly newsletter covered the asbestos campaign launch in its April 28 edition.
  • Workers Bearing the Brunt of Occupational Disease and Injury - 27 April 2006 
  • Asbestos Victims Must be Compensated - 4 November 2004
  • The Unionist - Action on Asbestos - 24 Spetember 2004
  • Unions Take Case to Government Over Compensation for Asbestos Victims - 22 September 2004

    • Make James Hardies and Fletchers Pay!
    The companies which created that hazard should pay the extra levies to ACC to fund fair compensation for asbestos disease victims.If you've been exposed to asbestos, you can register with the Department of Labour on the Asbestos Exposure Database. Check out the Asbestos fact sheet on the CTU's WorkSafeReps website.

    What can you do to support the campaign?

    Click here for the Open Letter to the Prime Minister which you can email or print off.  Send to Helen Clark, Parliament Buildings Wellington (no stamp is needed for letters to MPs).

    Let us know what you think about our campaign by sending us an email to reneeh@nzctu.org.nz

    What is asbestos ?

    Asbestos has long been a killer of workers, as far back as ancient Egypt exposure to this deadly fibre was identifed as being responsible for the deaths of slaves constructing the great pyramids at Gaza.  Find out more about asbestos on our health and safety website www.worksafereps.org.nz 

    International Ban Asbestos Campaign

    The ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions)passed a resolution in June 2005 for a global ban on asbestos. Check out the latest campaign information here Check out UK Hazards website to read about the "Global dirty tricks campaign that means more workers will die needlessly due to exposure to asbestos. Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE BD)is campaigning for asbestos free ship breaking work in Bangladesh check out their fantastic website As a leading organization, the OSHE Foundation is working to develop a national and regional campaign network in Asia to fight against this industry. The International Ban Asbestos Secreteriat is supporting the global ban on asbestos click here for more information You can support their campaign by completing the online petition to be presented to the United Nations.

    ASBESTOS: THE SILENT KILLER

    Briefing to the Rail and Maritime Union Conference, October 2005

    Hazel Armstrong is a barrister acting for victims of asbestos related diseases fighting for ACC lump sum compensation. This paper descibes some of the history of workers exposure to this deadly substance and Hazels work in representing those who have been afflicted with this occupational disease.

    Download the complete document here (Word document, 60 kb).

    Download the CTU Asbestos campaign flier

    You can download the general CTU asbestos campaign leaflet here. You can also download regional ones (which is the same leaflet but with the relevant regional unions logo on it). Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Rotorua, Taranaki, Tauranga, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wellington, Nelson, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago

    The Epidemic of Asbestos-related Diseases in New Zealand

    New Zealand is a small country with a big asbestos disease problem. The lack of action on warnings in the 1960s and 1970s has led to epidemics of mesothelioma and asbestosis, which can be clearly documented via the death and cancer registers.
    In addition,an uncertain numberof lung cancers due to asbestos exposure has occurred. The epidemic started in the 1980s, and will eventually have cost the lives of at least 2,000 to 3,000 workers. Prevention against ongoing exposures from asbestos installed in buildings is essential, and another key issue for New Zealand is to ensure that fair workers compensation is provided to all victims of asbestos diseases.
    Click here to download the full report

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    About renee.habluetzel

    Name
    Renee Habluetzel

    Phone
    04 385 1334 ext 824

    Email
    reneeh@nzctu.org.nz