The Unionist, Issue 46, 16 June 2006.

The CTU is reminding MPs to consider National's 90 Days No Rights Bill as they debate Easter Trading laws, writes this week's Unionist. We also report on ASTE's campaign against fixed term agreements in tertiary instiutions.

Either read on, or you can download the printed version of The Unionist here (PDF file, 33 kb).

Easter Trading Debate Should Factor In the 90 Days No Rights Bill

Members of Parliament need to factor in National's 90 Days No Rights Bill as they debate shop trading at Easter, the Council of Trade Unions said this week.

"A number of MPs spoke in Parliament on Wednesday night about the protections for workers that Steve Chadwick's Bill allowing trading on Easter Sunday provides, and that employees will have the choice not to work on this significant day," said Carol Beaumont, CTU Secretary.

"The CTU recognises that if National MP Wayne Mapp's Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill passes, it would expose many workers to unfair pressure to work over the Easter break. We should be realistic about the demands workers will face to work over public holidays, when under a 90 day period without rights of appeal against unfair dismissal," said Carol Beaumont.

"New Zealand workers and their families stand to lose a great deal if National's Bill passes," said Carol Beaumont. "Not only would it see them face uncertainty at work and exposure to dismissal for no reason, it would compromise their ability to spend time with their family on Easter Sunday, or more generally."

"Wednesday night's debate raised general questions for us around time off at holidays under a 90 Days No Rights Bill," said Carol Beaumont. "Although National argues that the statutory rights around holidays will be unaffected by their Bill, when employers can sack workers without having to give any reason, this argument is a hollow one."

ASTE Launches Fixed Term Appointments Campaign

The Association of Staff In Tertiary Education (ASTE) has launched a campaign on the use of fixed term appointments in tertiary education institutions.

"For too long employers have used fixed term appointments to hide shoddy employment practices," said Sharn Riggs, ASTE National Secretary on Wednesday.

"Changes to the Employment Relations Amendment Act with regard to the use of fixed term appointments mean that employers now have to be very clear about the purpose of a fixed term appointment and the reasons for its end."

"We have had situations where our members have been on fixed term agreements that have been rolled over four, five and six times with no genuine reason for the fixed term appointment or as to why the job shouldn't be permanent. This is not acceptable and needs to change," she said.

ASTE would be doing an audit of fixed term appointments to make sure that they comply with the Act.

"We have also written to our employers advising them of this campaign. We know that many of them are undertaking their own audits so between us we should be able to ensure that staff are employed appropriately and in accordance with the law. This could result in a number of our members finally having permanent employment status".

Events

Unions Local Events

Unions Wellington
Mon June 19, 5-6pm.
CTU, Lv 7, Ed House, 178 Willis St, Wgtn.
pbolster@anet.co.nz

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

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

90 Days No-Rights-Bill Campaign Events

Joint Union Delegates And Activists Meeting
Mon June 19, 7:00 p.m.
Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Ave, Johnsonville, Wgtn.
John Maynard:
links@actrix.gen.nz

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

NDU/Unions Auckland Picket against the 90 day bill
Fri 23 June, 7.30am-9.30am
Cnr Onehunga Mall and Neilson St, Akld
Luke Coxon: Ph: 021-617-131.
lcoxon@nduunion.org.nz.

Other Areas: let the CTU know what your area has planned. Contact Sam (contact details below)

Other

WEA Lunchtime Forum - 'The 1913 Great Strike'
Mon 19 June, 12:10 p.m.
2nd Floor, Harbour City Tower
40 Panama St., Wellington City
pbolster@anet.co.nz

SFWU Clean Start campaign - public community meeting
Weds 21 June, 7-9pm
Nga Tapuwae Community Centre in Mangere.
Kirsty: kirsty.mccully@sfwu.org.nz or 09 375 2687

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

WEA Lunchtime Forum -'Energy Resources Sell-Off'
Mon 26 June, 12:10 p.m.
2nd Floor, Harbour City Tower
40 Panama St., Wellington City
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Join the 2006/2007 Australia & New Zealand-Cuba Friendship
Societies/Work Study Brigade to Cuba. This will be the 24th
Australia-New Zealand work study tour to Cuba!
For further information contact Ina at
inashina.clear.net or Paul at wkcultur@ihug.co.nz

CTU Meetings, Training

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

One-day Union organiser Health and safety training Auckland.
Wed 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

CTU Migration Group Meeting
Tue 27 June, 2-5pm.
AUS/ASTE meeting room, Lv 8, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wgtn.
andrewc@nzctu.org.nz

CTU Meeting with MFAT about WTO/GATS
Thur 6 July, 2.30pm-5.00 pm
CTU Boardroom, Lv 7, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wgtn.
peterc@nzctu.org.nz

ACC Partnership Programme Training For Union Representatives: Stage 1.
Thur 27 July, 9am-4pm.
Te Wananga O Aotearoa, Dinsdale Road, Rotorua.
thomasw@nzctu.org.nz

Contact

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