The Unionist, Issue 80, June 8 2007

The Unionist this week reports on the Runanga biennial conference last month and on the work being done to support the safe return to the Philippines of visiting unionist Dennis Maga.

Either read on, or you can download a printable version here (PDF, 125 kb).

Biennial Conference: Te Runanga O Nga Kaimahi Maori

The Council of Trade Unions biennial Runanga hui was a successful event, says vice president Maori Sharon Clair.

The Runanga met last month at Tapu Te Ranga marae in Island Bay, Wellington.

“The hui was called Te Ara Taumata, The Pathway Forward, and key themes discussed were maori leadership and organising,” Sharon Clair said.

“We had two key speakers, Te Huirangi Waikerepuru and Amster Reedy.  Amster spoke on traditional ways Maori leadership can be developed from birth, and Te Huiranga’s session looked at maori models of organising.”

CTU Maori Workforce Project Coordinator Helen Te Hira followed with a further workshop on Maori organising, to feed into future workshops with Maori workers that the CTU will be running.

Developing links with overseas indigenous unionists was also a highlight of the hui.

“We had Charline Emzin-Boyd, aboriginal education coordinator for NSW Teachers Federation and Mal Cochrane, indigenous officer for PSA Australia at the hui, who spoke about the difficulty they have in mobilizing Australian aboriginal people in unions and the huge regions they have to cover in their organising.  They also spoke about the Howard government’s WorkChoices laws and how they are hurting Australian workers, and the need to vote the government out later this year.”

“Our one disappointment at the hui was attendance. While the 60 participants was a good number, given the commitment of unions to Te Ture Whakawhanaungatanga relationship agreement between the Runanga and the National Affiliates Council we had hoped for more,” Clair said.

In general business, Syd Keepa was re-elected as Convenor of the Runanga, and Sharon Clair was nominated as CTU vice president Maori. 

CTU Seeks ILO Help For Filipino Unionist

“The Council of Trade Unions is seeking the support of the United Nations International Labour Organisation to ensure the safety of trade unionist Dennis Maga when he returns to the Philippines,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Several New Zealand unions and NGOs recently hosted Filipino trade unionist Dennis Maga on a speaking tour on human rights abuses in the Philippines, and of the 858 victims of summary executions since 2001 under the administration of Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

While he was here Dennis received reliable information about concerns for his safety when he returned.

“We have met with and written to the International Labour Organisation asking for their help with ensuring Dennis’ safety on his return to Manila, through local ILO and UN channels in the Philippines.”

The CTU also requested that our Prime Minister seek assurances from the government of the Philippines.   New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Philippines sought clarification from senior Philippines’ officials and was told there are no charges pending against Mr Maga and no warrant has been issued for his arrest.

“Dennis Maga spoke on the very real concerns about human rights abuses in the Philippines.  He must not be victimised and intimidated as a result,” Carol Beaumont said.

Weekly Events Calendar

Unions Local

Unions Tauranga
Mon 11 June, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Southland
Tues June 12 2007, 4pm,
Trades Hall, 32 Jed St, Invercargill
Dayle.Belcher@nzei.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur 14 June, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Gisborne
Thur June 14, 4.30pm.
Trades & Labour Hall, Corner Customhouse St. & Childers Rd.
cryan@nduunion.org.nz

Unions Wellington
Mon June 18, 5pm - general business meeting
NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis St.
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues June 19, 3pm
(Planning Meeting - note earlier time)
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions West Coast
Monday June 25, 5pm
Greymouth RSA
wkcultur@ihug.co.nz

Unions Northland
Tue 26 June 2007, 5pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

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

Unions Waikato
Thur July 5, 5.15pm
TUC, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton
fiona.mcqueen@epmu.org.nz

Other Events and Campaigns

Workers Education Association
Launch of new courses & forums
Monday 11th June Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Centre for Global Action
2nd Floor, James Smiths Bldg
cnr. Cuba St & Manners Mall
Wellington pbolster@anet.co.nz
Parasites on Poverty: Corporate Killers
GPJA forum Monday, June 11 7.30pm
Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.
John Minto will give an update on the GPJA Parasites on Poverty campaign targeting pokie machines and loan sharks.

International Cleaners Day - June 15
Auckland: gathering at Britomart at midday on Friday June 15 and marching at 12:15. The march will conclude at 1pm
kirsty.mccully@sfwu.org.nz/ 09 375 2680
Wellington: for details contact Mea’ole Keil on 04 566 8274
www.sfwu.org

Documentary Screening: “Burma’s Secret War.”
To mark Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday. 
Tue June 19, 4.30pm. 
CTU, Level 7, Education House, 178 Willis St.  All welcome.  Ph: 802-3817.  Web:
union.org.nz/event/burmaDVDJune192007

Angela Davis speaking tour
Supported by Amokura, Nga Pae O Te Maramatanga, Va’aoman? Pasifika: Samoan Studies and Pacific Studies, Te Kawa a Maui: Maori Studies, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Victoria University.
Akld: 25 June 2007, 7pm - 8:30pm
Maidment Theatre, 8 Alfred St, Auckland University Campus
Wgtn: 26 June, 7pm - 8:30pm
Rutherford House, 23 Lambton Quay - Nth end
Angela Davis is an African- American philosopher who was associated with the Black Panther Party in the 1960s and 1970’s, as well as the Communist Party of the United States of America, and is currently Professor of History of Consciousness at the University of California and Presidential Chair at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Professor Davis’ research interests include: feminism, African American studies, critical theory, popular music culture and social consciuosness and the philosphy of punishment (women’s prisons).
NAU MAI HAERE MAI

CTU Meetings/Training

CTU Women’s Council Biennial Conference
Building our Power – Union Women in Action.
This is being held on the 29th and 30th June at the Mercure Hotel in Wellington.
The event includes national and international speakers, workshops and an opportunity to meet with around 150 women unionists from throughout the country.
If you are interested in attending, contact your union. It is EREL approved and registrations close 14 June.

Workplace Productivity Challenge: Exploring Workplace Productivity Issues. 
There is no charge to attend the Productivity Challenge, and some assistance is available for travel and other associated costs, including lost wages where EREL is not allocated and employers refuse leave.
- Tues 12 June, 9 am – 4.30 pm
Club Southland, 115 Leet St, Invercargill
EREL deadline 29 May
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by June 5
- Wed 13 June, 9 am – 4.30 pm
St Johns Hall, Wellington Central,
EREL deadline 30 May
sandyo@nzctu.org.nz by June 6

More details and registration forms at: http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html

Learning Reps Training, for Rail & Port Workers
Mon/Tues 18th & 19th June, 9am-4.30pm,
Morgan & Dick Rooms, St Johns Centre, Cnr Willis & Dixon Sts, Wellington
marym@nzctu.org.nz

Learning Reps Training
Wed/Thurs 27th & 28th June, 9am-4.30pm
Fellowship Room, St Johns Centre
Cnr Willis & Dixon Sts, Wellington
marym@nzctu.org.nz

CTU worker education / tertiary education work group meeting
Wed June 20th. 1.00- 3.00pm.
NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis St, Wellington.
carolb@nzctu.org.nz

Auckland CTU-Government Forum
Ellerslie Event Centre, Greenlane
Thursday 21 June, 4.00pm-9.30pm
karenn@nzctu.org.nz

Stage 3 Health & Safety Launch
The Wellington celebration for the launch of stage three training will be held on the 8th August. There will be a cocktail function hosted by the Mayor with Ross Wilson, Business NZ, ACC and DoL as speakers. It would be great to see lots of health and safety reps so make sure you are on the list by contacting Renee Habluetzel at  reneeh@nzctu.org.nz or phone 04 385 1334 x824

Out @ Work Wellington
Out @ Work Wellington will hold its second gathering on 24 June.  The event will be a shared meal and discussion at a private home.
What: Potluck Lunch - bring food, drink to share. 
When: 12:00pm Sunday 24th June
More information from Nic ( nicola.fitzgerald@xtra.co.nz ) or Kay (kayj@nzctu.org.nz )

CTU KiwiSaver Meeting
Tues 17 July, 9.30 to 12.30
NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis St, Wellington.
peterc@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