The Unionist, Issue 37, 8 March 2006

Today is International Womens Day, and The Unionist follows what has been happening here and overseas to mark the day.

Either read on, or you can download the printed version of The Unionist here (PDF file, 356 kb)

Working Women Recognised Today

Unions are highlighting the many thousands of working women in New Zealand whose work is undervalued and underpaid this International Women's Day, CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

"Far too many women are working on the minimum wage of $9.50 an hour," said Carol Beaumont. "When the minimum wage increases on March 27 this year, Department of Labour figures show that 91,000 workers will get a pay rise,

61,000 of whom are women." "61,000 working women should not have to rely on the minimum wage increases to see a pay rise, and unions are campaigning for justice in wages for working women," said Carol Beaumont.

"The CTU is backing the union campaigns being launched today, including the SFWU Nga Ringa Tota Healthy Pay for Health Hospitals campaign and the Payslips to the PM NZNO campaign.

Unions for Women, Women for Unions

"Women in unions are part of an international movement of women also," said Carol Beaumont. "Today the international trade union movement is launching phase two of the Unions for Women, Women for Unions campaign, which focuses on women working in the informal economy and export processing zones, female migrant workers and young women workers."

"Internationally, unions are launching new initiatives to organise women and adopt polices to achieve gender equality in the workplace, in unions and in society," said Carol Beaumont.

Payslips to the PM

Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation working in residential aged care began sending their pay slips to the Prime Minister today to highlight low pay in the sector.

"The undervaluing of caregiving is a classic example of the undervaluing of women's work," NZNO Industrial Advisor Rob Haultain said.

Haultain said NZNO members were seeking significantly increased government funding, targeted to caregivers' and aged care nurses' pay.

NZNO members will continue to send payslips to the PM until March 20, the beginning of Caregivers Week.

Healthy Pay for Healthy Hospitals

The Service & Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota today launched their Healthy Pay campaign in District Health Boards.

The campaign seeks a fairer living wage and one national collective agreement for all public hospital service workers, most of whom are women.

There were campaign launches and activities happening nationwide in every DHB, with rallies in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The CTU supports the campaign, and had speakers at the three rallies today.

Time Right for Equal Pay in the Public Service

The Public Service Association has renewed calls today for pay and employment equity to become a reality for women working in the public service.

The PSA released figures today showing that their membership is now nearly 70 % women.

"By joining the union, women in the public service are joining the campaign for pay and employment equity," said Brenda Pilot, National Secretary of the PSA.

The gender pay gap in the public service is now 17 % according to figures from the State Services Commission, she said.  

Other events

Members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand held a BBQ and stall in Wellington to recognise the day, and Association of University Staff members at Victoria were invited to coffee and cafe at lunchtime. The Auckland International Women's Day Committee is hosting an event in Auckland tonight (see below).

CTU Calendar of Events

CTU Unions - local affiliates

CTU Unions Wairarapa - Delegates Meeting Thur Mar 9, 2pm Town Hall, Masterton dave_morgan@xtra.co.nz

CTU Unions Gisborne Mon Mar 13, 4pm Trades & Labour Hall, Corner Customhouse St. & Childers Rd, Gisborne cryan@nduunion.org.nz

CTU Unions Tauranga Mon Mar 13, 5pm Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

CTU Unions Hawkes Bay Mon Mar 13, 5.30pm Trade Union Centre, 2 Lipton Pl, Napier dhyde@nduunion.org.nz

CTU Unions Auckland Thu 16 Mar, 4pm Trades Hall, 147 Gt North Rd, Auckland gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

CTU Unions Otago Thur 16 Mar, 4.30pm NZNO, Level 3, 7 Crawford St, Dunedin glendaa@nzno.org.nz

CTU Unions Christchurch Tue Mar 21, 4pm Trade Union Centre, 199 Armagh Rd, Christchurch Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

CTU Unions Palmerston North Fri Mar 31, 3pm PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North john.shennan@psa.org.nz

CTU Meetings

New Organiser Induction Workshop (Wellington) Part 1 - 28, 29, 30 Mar. Part 2 27 Apr Starts 1pm 28 March, 9am - 5pm all other days Part 1 - Guild Room, First Floor, Abel Tasman Hotel, 169 Willis Street, Wellington Part 2 - McKenzie Room, St Johns Church, Cnr Willis & Dixon Streets, Wellington sarlap@nzctu.org.nz by 14 March

CTU Minimum Wage Workgroup Meeting Wed Mar 22, 10-1pm CTU Board room, Lv 7, 178 Willis St, Wellington peterc@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Superannuation meeting Thur Mar 30, 9.30-12.30 CTU Board room, Lv 7, 178 Willis St, Wellington peterc@nzctu.org.nz

Pacific Workers Cross Union Fono (Auckland) Wed 5 April, 9.00 - 4.30pm Lenihan/Kennedy Room, St Columba Cntr, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby, Auckland sarlap@nzctu.org.nz by 17 March

Education and Action Seminar (for union organisers and educators) Thur 6 April, 9.00 - 4.30pm Teresa Room, St Columba Cntr, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby, Auckland sarlap@nzctu.org.nz by 17 March

One-day Health and Safety Rep Training for Union Officials Thur 27 April, 9.00 - 4.30pm 6th Floor PSA House, 11 Aurora Tce. karenf@nzctu.org.nz by 17 April

Other events

A Women's Place Is In The Struggle. A forum of speakers, discussion, mucis and drink. TODAY Wed Mar 8, 7pm Trades Hall, 147 Gt North Rd, Auckland

Hear Maidens Unplugged four new Labour MPs with what they really wanted to say in their Maiden Speech. Fri Mar 17, 5.30-8pm Trades Hall, 147 Gt North Rd, Auckland

Race Relations Day Mar 21 Human Rights Commission For further details: www.hrc.co.nz, 0800 496 877

And finally...Spotted!

The Unionist has been reliably informed by an avid reader that whilst lunching at Puro restaurant in Greenlane, Auckland yesterday, they spotted none other than well know commentator on the left Chris Trotter, sharing a meal with Leader of the Opposition Don Brash!