The Unionist, Issue 45, 9 June 2006.

Either read on, or you can download the printed version of The Unionist here (PDF file, 32 kb).

300 Union Delegates and Activists Called To Action on 90 Days Bill

300 trade unionist activists and delegates who had gathered in Auckland for a CTU Government forum on Wednesday night committed to intensify the campaign against the National Party proposal to do away with rights at work for first 90 days on the job.

The workers were at the second CTU Government forum this year, and the 13th since they started in 2002. The forums have also been held in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

"The delegates were in agreement that basic rights at work, such as a fair hearing, are not up for grabs. They agreed to step up the campaign against National's No-Rights-For-90-Days bill," said Carol Beaumont, CTU Secretary.

"Auckland union activists are campaigning weekly in the public at major transport hubs, and last week picketed the offices of National's Wayne Mapp. From next weekend they will hit the fleamarkets as they educate workers and communities about this Bill."

"Workers oppose moves to create a new category of worker - the disposable worker," said Carol Beaumont. "Despite National's insistence that the Bill will be helpful for workers, the Bill isn't about a fair, probationary period - it is about giving bosses a license to sack workers for no reason."

Statistics Show Far Reach of Nat's plan
Last week the CTU highlighted new statistics showing close to 300,000 workers every three months would be exposed under National's 90-day no employment rights plan.

Information from a new Statistics New Zealand's labour market series showed that every three months 297,120 employees begin work with a new employer.

"This means that for every one of National's 90-day periods, nearly 300,000 New Zealanders would be exposed to unfair sacking," said Carol Beaumont.

"The implications of National's plan are far reaching. Some workers, such as those in casual and season work, will experience a rolling no-rights period, as they go from job to job in seasonal, short term or casual work."

Workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing had the highest worker turnover rate per three month period in the last year, and regionally Gisborne had the highest turnover rate, at 21.7 percent.

CTU Lobbying Kit
The CTU Lobbying Kit on the 90 Days Bill is now out among unionists. The kit is for unions and Unions Local groups to help with their lobbying of MPs on National's 90 Days No Rights Bill. Contact your union for the kit.

Events

Unions Local Events

Unions Tauranga
June 12, 5pm
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt
Maunganui
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Hawkes Bay
June 12, 5.30pm
TUC, 2 Lipton Pl, Napier
dhyde@nduunion.org.nz

Unions Otago
June 13, 4.30pm
NZNO, Level 3, 7 Crawford St, Dunedin
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Auckland
June 15, 4pm.
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd, Auckland
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Wellington
June 19, 5pm.
CTU, Lv 7, Ed House, 178 Willis St.
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Canterbury
June 20, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Waikato
July 6, 5.15pm
TUC, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton
fiona.mcqueen@epmu.org.nz

90 Days No-Rights-Bill Campaign Events

Auckland
Unions Auckland weekly leafleting.
June 16, time, venue TBC
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Wellington
Leafleting at Porirua Market
June 10
7.30am

Joint Union Delegates Meeting re the 90 Day Bill
June 19, 7:00 p.m.
Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Ave, Johnsonville.
John Maynard:
links@actrix.gen.nz

EPMU Work Rights launch
June 20, lunchtime
Petone.
Contact Rob Egan for further details:
robert.egan@epmu.org.nz

Other Areas:
Let the CTU know what your area has planned. Email samh@nzctu.org.nz or phone (04) 802-3817

Other

WEA Lunchtime Forum:
June 12, 12.10pm
Betty Campbell Centre, Harbour City Tower, (old DIC bldg) Panama Street Entrance, 2nd floor.
pbolster@anet.co.nz
This week: Rodney Murphy introduces the series.

International Justice for Cleaners Day June 15
AK: Rally, Aotea Square, 12pm.
kirsty.mccully@sfwu.org.nz
WGTN: Rally corner Molesworth St and Lambton Quay, 12pm.
meaole.keil@sfwu.org.nz

Talking Union
June 15, 5:15 pm
CTU, Lv 7, Ed House, 178 Willis St.
(all union delegates welcome)

Working Women's Resource Centre Mid Winter Solstice Photo Exhibition
23 June, 6pm $5.
Trades Hall, 149 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
09 379 7906/wwrc@ihug.co.nz

CTU Meetings, Training

CTU Union health and safety group meeting
13 June, 9.30am-12.00pm.
CTU, Lv 7, Ed House, 178 Willis St.
Karenf@nzctu.org.nz

Leadership Development For Young Workers
June 20, 9am-4.30pm
Big Hall, St Johns Church Cnr Willis & Dixon Streets, Wellington
karenn@nzctu.org.nz

Training Skills
Part 1: June 20 & 21
Part 2: July 25 & 26
EPMU, 9 Madeira Lane, Grafton, Auckland (For Parts 1 & 2)
1st Day 9.30am - 5.00pm
2nd Day 9.00am - 5.00pm
karenn@nzctu.org.nz

Pay and Employment Equity Training - Reviews and Response Planning
June 22, 9am-4.30pm.
St Johns, Cnr Willis & Dixon, Wgtn.
nanettec@nzctu.org.nz

One-day Union organiser Health and safety training Auckland.
July 5, 9.00am to 4.30pm
40 Vermont Street,Ponsonby
Auckland
Karenf@nzctu.org.nz

Skills of Organising - Akld
11, 12, 13 July, 9am-5pm
Lenihan/Kennedy Double Room. St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby.
karenn@nzctu.org.nz by 30 June

Contact

If you have any information about upcoming CTU events please contact:
Sam Huggard - (04) 802 3817, email: samh@nzctu.org.nz