The Unionist, Issue 83, July 6 2007

CTU officer elections, KiwiSaver and bad employment practises in the wine industry feature in this week’s issue of The Unionist.

New CTU Leadership

A new leadership of the Council of Trade Unions, including the first woman CTU President, will be formally elected for a four year term at the organisation’s biennial conference in October, CTU President Ross Wilson announced today.

Nominations closed this afternoon for the four CTU officer positions.  Helen Kelly was nominated as President, incumbents Carol Beaumont and Sharon Clair re-nominated in their roles of Secretary and Vice President Maori respectively, and PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff as Vice President.  All were unopposed.

“I am delighted that the union movement will have such a strong leadership team to carry our important work into the future on behalf of working New Zealanders,” Ross Wilson said.

“I am particularly proud of the emergence of three exceptional women in these key national leadership roles,” he said.

Don’t Dismantle KiwiSaver To Pay For Tax Cuts For High Income Earners

 “KiwiSaver is good news for many workers, and the government and employer contributions shouldn’t be scrapped to help National pay for tax cuts that deliver the biggest benefits to those on high incomes," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said yesterday.

“The main income issue for low and middle income workers is the need for better wages, and strengthening collective bargaining so that low wages can be addressed at an industry level by workers and employers.  CTU unions are actively working on that while the National Party is significantly silent.”

“There is strong interest in KiwiSaver from workers, and unions are working hard to make sure their members know about their entitlements and get the best opportunities to benefit from Kiwisaver.”

“Yes there are problems for those on low wages, and the CTU has consistently argued for easier access for low-income workers into KiwiSaver, and will still argue for a 2% minimum contribution option.”

“The introduction of a 4% employer contribution to workplace savings phased in over the next 4 years means New Zealand workers can start to catch up with their Australian colleagues where a 9% employer contribution is required.  This is excellent news for many workers, and we hope it stays.”

Bad Employment Practises Expose Wine Industry - CTU

“Employers in viticulture need to be careful not to put the reputation of a major export industry at risk through shoddy employment practises,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“The CTU supports the Department of Labour investigations into the case of several migrant workers in Blenheim vineyards, including eight Thai workers whose work permits have been revoked after they spoke out about their employer’s work practises.”

The workers say they were oversold the benefits before they left their home countries, and have not received expected wages and basic employment rights since they have been here.

“These workers’ stories are not unfamiliar, and we have seen previous problems in fishing and horticulture recently.”

“The CTU supports the new Recognised Seasonal Employer policy as an attempt to lift the bar on employment practises in seasonal work, and for a greater government role in intervention and enforcement when things go wrong with more people on the ground in areas like Marlborough.”

“This change of focus is also important in helping to lift standards and wages in seasonal work to make it a more attractive and realistic option for New Zealand workers, to reduce the need for temporary migrants,” she said.

Weekly Events Calendar

Unions Local

Unions Tauranga
Mon 9 July, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur 12 July, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Waikato
Thur July 12, 5.15pm
TUC, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton
fiona.mcqueen@epmu.org.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues July 17, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue 24 July 2007, 5pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri July 27, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Unions Gisborne
Thur Aug 9, 4.30pm.
Trades & Labour Hall, Corner Customhouse St. & Childers Rd.
cryan@nduunion.org.nz

Unions Southland
Tues Aug 14 2007, 4pm,
Trades Hall, 32 Jed St, Invercargill
Dayle.Belcher@nzei.org.nz

Unions Wellington
Mon Aug 20, 5pm
NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis St.
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Other Events and Campaigns

* Unions Wellington
First Friday Drinks
The regular monthly get together
After work
Friday July 6th
Brix Bar
Abel Tasman Hotel
Cnr.Willis & Dixon Streets

* The Red Flag Social Club Invites You To Celebrate Bastille Day in French Style with Bob Campbell´s (MW) wine quiz.
Friday 6 July, Trades Hall, 149 Great North Road, Grey Lynn
Social Club facilities open at 5.00pm.  Quiz starts at 6.00pm.  $5.00 per person for tasting wine and cheeses. Get a team of 4/6 people together or come on your own and we will make up the teams when you get there. All welcome.
For further information or to book your table, contact Ros Hiini, Working Women’s Resource Centre, (09) 379-7906, 021-299-2921, Email wwrc@ihug.co.nz

* Saturday, July 7, 2pm, Aotea Square, Auckland – Live Earth.
www.climaction.org.nz

* Support Strike action by Unite Union Independent Liquor Workers
Friday, July 13, 9am,
Independent Liquor, Boundary Rd, Papakura
Community protest in support of workers at Independent Liquor. These workers are taking further strike action in support of their pay claims and in opposition to the vicious bullying, intimidation and harassment of union members at this site. Independent workers are fighting for parity with other brewery workers. mike@unite.org.nz

* Hear a speaker from Western Sahara - Africa's last colony. An inspiring example of resistance and survival. 
Malainan Lakhal, a journalist, was forced to flee Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara in 2000 after being targeted by the regime for his activities as a leader of Saharawi resistance. He now works in the camps for the Saharawi Press Service, bringing news of his peoples' struggle to the world. He will speak of the struggle in the Moroccan-occupied territories today and the life of Saharawis in the camps.
- Wellington: Thursday, July 19, open doors at 5.30pm, meeting at 6pm, Turnbull House, Bowen St. Ph Awras 027 3036037
- Hamilton: Friday, July 20, open doors at 7pm, meeting at 7.30pm, Methodist Church Centre, 62 London St. Hosted by Corso
- Auckland: Monday July 23. 7.30pm , Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Hosted by Global Peace and Justice.
- For More information: www.awsa.org.au  Contact: Annalucia Vermunt 09 5257407, NZ Western Sahara Group Patrick Rooney juntomundo@gmail.com

* VISIT CUBA THIS SUMMER
Registrations are open for the 25th Southern Cross Brigade to Cuba. Members of the Brigade, which is made up of Australians and New Zealanders, spend approximately four weeks in Cuba, leaving 27th December and returning 24th January.  The programme is varied and includes social occasions, dance lessons, cultural events, talks by community groups e.g. the Women’s Federation, visits to schools, hospitals and trade unions, resorts and national parks, as well as free time in Havana, and some voluntary work is included in the programme.
The trip, suitable for people of any age group, all up costs $5500, including airfare, spending money and all accommodation and meals.  For further enquiries including a more detailed description of the trip, and registration, email Ina at inashina@clear.net.nz or Paul at wkcultur@ihug.co.nz, or telephone Paul on (03) 732-4010.

CTU Meetings/Training

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

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

CTU Learning Reps Training, MUNZ, Auckland
Tues & Wed, 31 July & 1 Aug, 9.00 to 4.30
Onehunga Community House, 83 Selwyn St, Onehunga
marym@nzctu.org.nz

Union Organiser KiwiSaver seminars

* Please register for these free seminars with Gabriel Brettkelly gabrielann@slingshot.co.nz, 09 436-5563, 0274 365-003

Invercargill:
Tues 17 July, 10am – 12.00 – venue tbc – please register your interest

Christchurch:
Fri July 6 – full  (another Christchurch seminar will be held late July early Aug – please register your interest)

Greymouth:
We have been asked to run a seminar on the Coast and are organising dates – please register your interest.

Nelson:
Tues July 10, 10 – 12.00, Fairfield House, Trafalgar St Sth, Nelson

Wellington:
Wed July 11, 10 - 12.00, St Johns Hall, Wellington
Mon July 23, 10 - 12.00, SFWU training room, Petone
Wed July 25, 10 - 12.00, St Johns Hall, Wellington

Palmerston North:
Fri July 13, 10 - 12.00, Te Manawa Museum seminar room, Palm Nth

Rotorua:
Mon 16 July, 10 – 12.00, Willowhaven, 31 Beaumont St, Ngongataha

Napier:
Friday 3rd August, 10am – 12.00, Trade Union Centre, 2 Lipton Place, Onekawa 

Auckland:
Mon July 9, 10 – 12.00, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn
Mon July 23, 10 – 12.00, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

IN HOUSE:
Service & Food Workers Union - Auckland, July 16
Police Assn – Wgton Thurs 9th Aug 

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