The Unionist Issue 34, February 3 2006

Minimum Wages on the Agenda - action needed now.

Interest is mounting in the campaign for a twelve dollar minimum wage and an end to youth rates, writes the Unionist this week.

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Minimum Wages on the Agenda - action needed now

Last week Council of Trade Unions' President Ross Wilson joined with others in Auckland at the SuperSizeMyPay.Com/Unite Union community meeting on minimum wages. The meeting, which had speakers from unions, pacific communities, community organisations, anti-poverty groups, and Maori called for a $12 minimum wage for all workers, an end to youth rates and secure hours. Ross Wilson said at the meeting that the union movement was behind the campaign to end youth rates, and for a speedier introduction of a $12 minimum wage, and welcomed the opportunity to campaign alongside others in the community to win public support. The CTU wanted the Government to phase in a minimum wage of two thirds of the average adult wage, and saw an increase to $12 now as a step in that direction, he said. At the meeting, Unite Union's Senior KFC Fast Food Spokesperson Susan Tuaniu said the recent minimum wage rise to $10.25 only meant an extra $20 a week in the hand. "If all low paid workers and the community stand behind us to get McDonald's, Burger King, and Restaurant Brands KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks, to lead the industry in improving our conditions and our pay, it will be a significant step towards securing a better future for everyone and making poverty wages history," she said. Last December, the CTU pledged to campaign for political party support for Green MP Sue Bradford's private members bill abolishing youth rates, due to be debated in Parliament this month. This morning the campaign found support from one of the major daily newspapers. Wellington's Dominion Post, in their editorial this morning Minimum Wage Rise Is Long Overdue, backed the Council of Trade Unions and others who are campaigning on this issue. "Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson believes the Government should increase the minimum wage to $12 an hour, and do it quickly. He is right. The current $9.50 is not enough for anyone to live adequately on," said the Dominion Post. The Dominion Post also argued in favour of ending youth rates. "No one would argue that women should be paid less than men for doing the same job, and it is equally absurd to accept that a 16-year-old should get less than a 19-year-old just because of his (sic) birth date," said the Dominion Post. What is happening in the next few weeks Green MP Sue Bradford's private members bill, - the Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Amendment Bill - is due to come up for debate in Parliament on Wednesday February 15th, less than two weeks away. Right now, political parties will be deciding whether or not they support the Bill, and so it's important that workers make their views known to MPs now. You can do this by writing to your local MP, emailing them, or even better visiting them in their electorate office this weekend. There are also rallies and meetings being organised by trade unions in the next few weeks to gather support for the bill. In Auckland, Unite and SuperSizeMyPay.Com have organised a rally for workers and members of the public . It is taking place on Sunday February 12th at 2pm in the Auckland Town Hall. The following day, (Monday 13th) in Christchurch, Unite Union has organised a public meeting at the Trade Union Centre (199 Armagh St), at 7.30pm. And in Wellington a rally organised by Youth Union Movement will begin at Manners Mall at 4pm on Tuesday February 14th, to reach Parliament at 4.45pm.

Safeguard Health and Safety Awards - nominations close March 6

The annual Safeguard Health and Safety awards are back again, and this year the Council of Trade Unions is sponsoring the major award category of "Most Influential Employee". This is a great opportunity for Union H&S Reps and delegates to be acknowledged by the industry and receive a prize. Last year Anesrita Narendra, delegate and H&S Rep with the Service and Food Workers Union won the major award of "Most Influential Employee". Entering the competition is easy, so make sure you nominate your union Health and Safety Reps and Delegates that are active in health and safety. Be quick,entries close 6 March 2006. The awards cermony will be held in Auckland on April 5. More information is available at http://www.worksafereps.org.nz

Events

Aussie Action on Asbestos - Implications for NZ Wed Feb 8, 5pm-7pm CTU Boardoom, 178 Willis St, Wgtn Pat Bolster - patb@nzctu.org.nz CTU Meeting with Sekai Holland, Movement for Democratic Change, Zimbabwe Thur Feb 9, 5pm CTU Boardoom, 178 Willis St, Wgtn Julia London - julial@nzctu.org.nz by 7 Feb SuperSizeMyPay.Com/Unite Union public meeting on low pay Sun Feb 12, 2pm Auckland Town Hall, Queen St, Akld Simon Oosterman - simon@unite.org.nz Unite Union Public Meeting - Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Ammendment Bill Mon Feb 13, 7.30 pm Trade Union Centre (199 Armagh St), Christchurch Lynda Boyd, Unite lynda_1999@yahoo.com Youth Union Movement action on youth rates Tue Feb 14, 4pm Starts Manners Mall 4pm, Parliament at 4.45pm www.union.org.nz/yum Advanced Training Skills Feb 14-16, 9am-5pm Guild Room, Abel Tasman Hotel, 169 Willis St Sue Plowman - suep@nzctu.org.nz by Feb 3 CTU Meeting with Sue Hastings, Pay and Employment Equity expert visiting NZ from the UK Thur Feb 16, 1pm-2.30 CTU Boardoom, 178 Willis St, Wgtn Eileen Brown - eileenb@nzctu.org.nz "Talking Union" [Union Toastmasters Group] Improve your verbal communication Thur Feb 16, 5.15pm CTU Boardoom, 178 Willis St, Wgtn Pat Bolster - patb@nzctu.org.nz CTU Immigration Group Workshop Wed Feb 22, 9am - 1pm. CTU Boardoom, 178 Willis St, Wgtn Peter Conway - peterc@nzctu.org.nz CTU Union H&S meeting Tues Feb 28, 9am-12pm CTU Boardoom, 178 Willis St, Wgtn Karen Fletcher - karenf@nzctu.org.nz Union Partnership Programme Training (stage 1) Further info: http://www.worksafereps.org.nz/training/index_1.html Thursday March 16, 9am- 5pm Methodist Parish Hall, 62 London Street, Hamilton Karen Fletcher - karenf@nzctu.org.nz by March 2