The Unionist, Issue 55, 8 Sept 2006

Either read on, or download a printable version here (PDF file, 144 kb).

CTU Holds Special National Meeting to Support Locked Out Workers

Affiliated members of the Council of Trade Unions met in Wellington this afternoon to discus further financial support to workers that have been locked out by Progressive Enterprises since August 28.

The special meeting was addressed by moving speeches from workers from the picket lines at the Christchurch, Palmerston North and Auckland distribution warehouses. Representatives of several unions spoke at the meeting.

"Our primary focus as a union movement right now is to give moral, financial and other support to the locked out supply chain workers," said CTU president Ross Wilson.

"The workers have been locked out for nearly two weeks by Progressive Enterprises, who are throwing all their might at the workers to bully them out of their just claim for wage parity across distribution centres through a national agreement."

The meeting discussed ways of supporting the workers, and passed a resolution committing to ongoing organising for the workers. The full text of the resolution is below.

Support the Locked Out Workers This Weekend

Over the weekend, there are a number of public events you can attend to support the workers. All events start at 12 noon on Saturday.

- Auckland, 12 noon Saturday 9th September, at the Mangere Town Centre, with reggae legend Tigi Ness (Unity Pacific), local reggae band "Three Houses Down" and Maori R'n'B group "Kotuku."

- Palmerston North, Public Rally For Locked Out Families, 12 noon at the town square.

- Napier, 12 noon, Public Rally For Locked Out Families outside Napier Woolworths on Carlyle St

- Christchurch, 12 noon, Informational Pickets at Supermarkets and Southmore Meat Processing Plant

Further details and contact people are on the ShelfRespect.org website here: http://www.shelfrespect.org/2/public_rallies_to_support_locked_out_families_across_nz

Ways you can donate to support the locked out workers and their families.

Right now the most important thing we can all do is support the workers financially. Progressive have locked out the workers for nearly two weeks now, and significant donations have been made already, but more needs to be done urgently. Your support will help the locked out families stand strong in their demands for a national collective agreement and a fair wage. Donations to the Locked Out Families Fund can be made in a number of ways. The most important thing you can do to help the locked out workers is to organise a collection at your worksite.

- Worksite collection. Organise a collection on your worksite. You can bank the money into the NDU account at any BNZ branch (account number below).

- Donations to the bank account. Deposit the collection at any BNZ branch, to account: ‘National Distribution Union’, 02-0200-0217968-00 with the reference "Lock Out".

- Over the phone: An immediate $20 donation can be made by calling 0900 LOCK OUT (0900 5625 688). The amount will be charged to your phone bill.

- Over the internet. Internet banking donation to the NDU bank account number above.

Resolution of Special Meeting of affiliated unions of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions held at the Wellington Town Hall Friday 8th September 2006

This meeting of affiliated unions of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions representing more than 350,000 working New Zealanders:

• Supports the claims of the locked out distribution workers and the principle of pay parity for the same job in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

• Supports the claims of the supermarket worker members of the National Distribution Union in their negotiations, and the strike action by members of the NZ Meat Workers Union in support of their claims, against Progressive Enterprises.

• Condemns the action of Woolworths Australia in locking out 600 members of the National Distribution Union and Engineering Printing & Manufacturing Union members in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch with the objective of starving them into withdrawing their claims.

• Acknowledges the growing support for the distribution workers both within New Zealand and in Australia from union members, the broader community, and the assistance from the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

AND RESOLVES:

• That each union, separately and collectively, will continue to take every possible action to support the NDU, the EPMU and their distribution worker members to achieve a fair settlement of their dispute and, in particular will:

- Continue and intensify the organisation of funding support for the locked out distribution members and their families

- Consider and provide all possible action, industrial and other, to support the resolution of this dispute by a just settlement.

- Call on their members and their families to provide visible and vocal support for the locked out workers and their families.

• That international union organisations be alerted to the serious principles at stake in this dispute and asked to provide all possible solidarity support.

• That the CTU give consideration to the development of proposals for legislative action to provide greater protection to vulnerable workers.