The Unionist, Issue 56, 15 Sept 2006

Unions and the public are rallying behind locked out distribution workers, writes the Unionist this week. 

Either read on, or download a printable version here (PDF file, 56 kb)

An Injury To One Is An Injury To All

Unions and the public are rallying behind locked out distribution workers, writes the Unionist this week.

““As unions we have been focusing our attention on two fronts this week – raising money in the public, and getting the word out to worksites for collections there,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“The level of public support indicates to us that the New Zealand community is firmly behind these workers,” said Carol Beaumont.  “The public clearly understand the issues and what is at stake.  They do not agree with the bullying tactics of this large Australian company and are anxious to help in whatever way they can.”

“There has also been a strong level of international support for the workers, particularly from Australia.  Donations from the public and New Zealand and overseas unions so far have been very helpful for the workers, and 170,000 has been raised to date.”

“However there are more than 500 workers who have been without pay for over three weeks.  Progressive Enterprises has been heavy handed since the beginning of the negotiations – they are throwing all their might at these workers in an effort to starve them out.”

“We cannot let them get away with it – this lockout has implications for all New Zealand workers – and over the weekend and next week we will recommit our energy to raising funds and giving other support for the workers and their families.”

Retail Workers Deserve A Fair Go Over Easter

Retail workers deserve quality time off with their families over Easter, the CTU told a select committee hearing in Wellington this week.

A parliamentary select committee is considering two members’ bills, from Labour MP for Rotorua Steve Chadwick and National MP for Otago Jacqui Dean, designed to liberalise trading on Easter Sunday. 

“Retail workers across New Zealand already frequently work evenings, at the weekend and on many public holidays.” 

“In 1990 most shops could not trade on any Sunday and they were unable to open on nine of the 11 recognised public holidays. Now they can trade on 51 out of 52 Sundays and every public holiday except Good Friday, Christmas Day and the morning of Anzac Day.

“We have already seen extensive deregulation of shop trading hours in New Zealand, and the CTU continues to oppose any further deregulation.”

Industry Wide Response to Shipping Welcomed

The CTU yesterday welcomed the release of a new report from the NZ Shipping Federation, as the start of a strategy to integrate and develop the coastal shipping industry in New Zealand.

“New Zealand crewed vessels are an environment friendly transport mode, and an efficient carrier of goods. Coastal shipping has been overlooked,” said CTU secretary Carol Beaumont.

“Workers have knowledge and experience that is extremely valuable to the sector, and a working party, a core recommendation of yesterday’s report, is an opportunity for workers, through their unions, to fully contribute to the shipping industry’s growth.”

Weekly Events Listing

Locked Out Workers

Fundraising is currently happening in many cities.  Contact Sam on samh@nzctu.org.nz or 0800 698-646 to be put in touch with your local fundraising organsier.  You can also donate online at www.shelfrespect.org, or make a $20 donation via 0900 LOCK OUT - 0900 5625-688.

AUCKLAND
- Saturday - Otara Town-Center Rally/Fundraising.  Meet at Otara McDonald’s at 9.30am.

- Sunday - Auckland Inter-denominational Church Service and Public Meeting for locked out workers, families, friends and fellow church members.  6pm - Church Service.  7.30pm - Community Meeting.  Pukapuka Community Centre, 23 Canning Crescent, Mangere (Behind WINZ).

PALMERSTON NORTH
Rally and barbeque being held at Camp Union - the picket site in Palmerston North - this Saturday 16th September at Midday.  The Brass Razoo Solidarity Band and Don Franks will be providing entertainment. Please bring along some food for the barbeque. Camp Union is on the corner of Mihaere Drive and Mako Mako Road and we look forward to seeing you there.

WELLINGTON
Collecting for locked out workers. 
- Saturday afternoon in Cuba Mall: Meet at the corner of Manners Mall and Cuba Mall at 1.30pm
- Sunday Morning Markets: Vivian and Willis St, 9 till 1pm (come for as much as you can).
- Sunday afternoon Wellington vs. Canterbury: Meet at 3.30 outside the railway station, contact Nick Hirst 027 268-3291 for information or questions.

- Tuesday - Picket outside the Lower Hutt Countdown.  Starts at 8am.

CHRISTCHURCH
Garage Sale - Saturday, from 7am.  Shands Rd Distribution Centre. 146 Shands Rd.

DUNEDIN
Members, supporters and organizers from the National Distribution Union will be holding a picket outside of Countdown Dunedin Central tomorrow from 11am until 2pm

Unions Local

Unions Wellington
Mon Sept 18, 5pm.
CTU, Lv 7, Ed House, 178 Willis St. 
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tue Sept 19, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thurs Sept 21, 4pm.
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue Sept 26, 5pm.
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri Sept 29, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St,
Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

CTU Meetings and Training

‘Embedding Pay and Employment Equity into Collective Bargaining’
Wellington 26 & 27 September (Tuesday/Wednesday).  Christchurch 10 & 11 October (Tuesday/Wednesday). Auckland 16 & 17 October (Monday/Tuesday).
Registration for the Wellington training closes on Friday 15th September - contact Nikki Burrows on
nikkib@nzctu.org.nz or (04) 385 1334 xtn 840

Workplace Productivity Challenge: Exploring Workplace Productivity Issues.  Seminars are as follows

Wed 27 Sept, 9am-4.30
St Johns Church, Cnr Willis & Dixon Streets, Wellington
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Sep 15
    

Wed 4 October, 9am-4.30
Trade Union Centre, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Sep 22

Thurs 5 October, 9am-4.30
AMI Building, 2nd Floor
Cnr Ronwood Ave/Osterley Way
Manukau
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Sep 22

Wed 11 October, 9am-4.30
Edgar Sports Centre
Cnr Portsmouth Drive and Midland Street, Dunedin
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Sep 29

Thurs 12 October, 9am-4.30
EPMU, 298 Cashell Street, Christchurch. sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Sep 29

Thurs 19t October, 9am-4.30
St Columba’s Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland Central
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Oct 6    

Thurs 2 November, 9am-4.30
A’fare, Lower Dent Street, Whangarei. sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Oct 20    

Wed 8 November, 9am-4.30
Te Manawa Museum, 396 Main Street, Palmerston North sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by Oct 27

Other events and campaigns

“FRONT FOOT” Workers Charter Public Meeting
Tuesday,September 26th at the Wellington Public Library.
For decades workers have been pushed on to the back foot. Now union campaigns like SUPER SIZE MY  PAY (fast food), CLEAN START (cleaners) and SHELF RESPECT (supermarkets) are moving back on the FRONT FOOT. Come along to this public meeting and hear activists from these campaigns speak about what’s been achieved and what
more needs to be done.
Contact Grant - 021-053-2973

Contact