The Unionist, Issue 88, Sept 14 2007

The CTU paid tribute to Syd Jackson last week, writes the Unionist today.

Union movement pays tribute to Syd Jackson  

“Syd Jackson’s contribution to the union movement was enormous and he will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives he has touched,” CTU vice president Maori Sharon Clair said last week.

“Syd’s contribution to Maori self determination and language became prominent at Auckland University through his leadership in Nga Tama Toa, and he was involved in a number of campaigns, in particular in relation to his commitment to Te Reo Maori.”

“Syd was very strong in his trade unionism, and from his family connections with the freezing works in the Hawkes Bay it became an important part of him from very early on.”

“Syd was a field officer and then secretary of the Clerical Workers Union in Auckland for over a decade, and was a driver for modernising the union.”

“He was involved in the early discussions on the establishment of the Runanga through the Federation of Labour, which later became Te Runanga O Nga Kaimahi Maori through the CTU.  It was a huge philosophical departure at the time for unions to acknowledge that there were groups within their membership who required special representation.”

“After he finished his involvement at the Clerical Workers Union in the late 1980s, he went on to become an advocate representing workers in disputes.”

“We extend our sympathy to the Jackson whanau at this time,” Sharon Clair said.

Learning Reps Project – Innovative Provider Award.

The CTU’s Learning Reps Project received the Innovative Provider Award during adult education week at a presentation ceremony in Wellington.  

The citation accompanying the award referred to the quality training provided for reps by the CTU’s project. For many of them the learning reps certificate is the first qualification they have ever received.   The citation also referred to the work that reps undertake back at work – supporting co workers in a unique learning together programme.

Don Farr in receiving the award spoke of the trend towards competitive learning – employers promoting training selectively and encouraging workers to use training to compete against co workers.  Instead the Learning Reps approach is for learning together – learning as a collective activity.

News in brief

SIS decision great news for Zaoui and his family – CTU  

The withdrawal of the security risk certificate against Ahmed Zaoui today is great news for Mr Zaoui and his family, and is long overdue, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said yesterday.

"The CTU has always been concerned that Ahmed Zaoui was held in prison without charge for so long, and was subject to a flawed and unfair process since the Refugee Status Appeals Authority decision.”

Click here for more.

Opinion peice - flexible working hours.

What is it about Sue Kedgley’s Bill introducing a legislative right to request flexible working hours for some workers that is causing so much apparent concern among some in the business lobby? 

Click here for more.

Events Calendar

Unions Local - upcoming meetings

Unions Wellington
Mon Sept 17, 4.30pm
NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis St.
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues Sept 18, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue 25 Sept 2007, 5pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri Sept 28, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Unions Tauranga
Mon 8 Oct, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur 11 Oct, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
gparsloe@seafarers.org.nz

Unions Gisborne
Thur Oct 11, 4.30pm.
Trades & Labour Hall, Corner Customhouse St. & Childers Rd.
Colleen.Ryan@ndu.org.nz

Unions Waikato
Thur Nov 8 5.15pm
TUC, 34 Harwood Street, Hamilton
fiona.mcqueen@epmu.org.nz

Other Events and Campaigns

Weds 19 September.  Women’s Suffrage Day. 

TALKING UNION
All Welcome
5:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday 20th September
NZCTU Board Room
7th Floor Education House
178 Willis Street
Wellington

KIA HIWA RA!
KIA HIWA RA!
He tono tenei mai Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi o Aotearoa - Te Kauae Kaimahi,  kia haere mai ki te tukunga o te kiriata 'Nga Momo Whakaritenga Maori: Maori Models of Organising'
Nau mai Haere mai
This is an invitation from the Runanga of the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi to join us in the first screening of  'Nga Momo Whakaritenga Maori: Maori Models of Organising'
Monday 17 September,  4pm
Langtons Building, Maungawhau (Mt Eden, mid summit)
Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland
This film captures for the first time, Maori experiences of unionism  and potrays core values and elements that are uniquely Maori and advance the struggles of workers in Aotearoa.
This film is part of the Maori Models of Organising project which aims to reaffirm the place and relevancy of tangata whenua leadership in unions and gives a space to discuss future pathways for change and growing workers voices.
For catering purposes please RSVP to Helen Te Hira
DDI 09 303 9018
Mobile: 021 0 554 969
helent@nzctu.org.nz

Workers Education Association
"Local Democracy?" Forums
Monday 3017th September 12:10 - 1:00 p.m.
Christine Ross, PSA
"The Union Perspective"
Centre for Global Action
2nd Floor, James Smiths Bldg
cnr. Cuba St & Manners Mall
Wellington
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Capital and Coast DHB elections coming up…
Who to vote for?
Here’s a chance to have a look at the local candidates and rate them
Capital & Coast District Health Board Candidates’ Meeting
Thursday 20 September 2007 5.30 – 7.15pm
(Refreshments start from 5:30pm. Meeting from 5:45 – 7:15pm)
St John’s Conference Centre, corner Dixon and Willis Streets.
PHA Wellington Branch and South East & City Primary Health Organisation (SECPHO) have invited all the candidates for election to Capital & Coast District Health Board to speak briefly to two questions:
What is your main priority for public health?
What priorities for health will you promote if elected to the Capital & Coast DHB?
These are serious questions but we can guarantee the meeting as a whole will be entertaining and light-hearted as well as informative. The audience will be invited to join in assessing the candidates.
After the meeting and to assist other voters, PHA Wellington Branch will publicise a list of recommendations about the candidates.
The meeting will be jointly chaired by PHA MCs:
Leigh Sturgiss
Alastair Duncan
Gold coin donation.
Refreshments will be served.
ALL WELCOME
For further information please email PHANZ (pha@pha.org.nz) or contact Marie Russell (marie.russell@vuw.ac.nz), phone: 04 463 6574.

'Stuffed and Starved. Markets, Power and the Hidden Battle for the World Food System'
''One of the most dazzling books I have read in a long time. The product of a brilliant mind, and a gift to the world hungering for justice.'' (Naomi Klein, author of 'No Logo')
|Author: Raj Patel - in New Zealand September 20-26
Raj Patel's definitive account of the world food system ranges across GM crops, fair trade, rising levels of obesity, unsafe food, supermarket rip-offs - and making another food world possible.
CHRISTCHURCH,
Thursday September 20, 7:30 p.m
Oxford Terrace Baptist Church,
cnr Oxford Tce and Madras St
WELLINGTON
Monday September 24, 12:15 -1 p.m.
St Andrews on the Terrace
AUCKLAND
Tuesday September 25, 7:30 p.m.
Aotea Chapel
370 Queen St

NZAAHD, Save the Children New Zealand & YWCA
invite you to take some time to think about and discuss:
LOWERING THE VOTING AGE
Wed 19 Sept, 4pm at Zeal, Garrett St, Wellington Central.  Next to Glover Park.

CTU Meetings, Training

Workplace Productivity Challenge Workshop
There is no charge to attend the Productivity Challenge Financial assistance is available to help with travel, wage reimbursement (if not on EREL or other leave) and other associated costs.
Next courses are:

Monday 24 September, 9 am – 4.30 pm
St John’s Hall, Cnr Dixon and Willis Sts, Wellington EREL deadline 10 September productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 17 September

Thursday 4 October, 9 am – 4.30 pm
Fairfield House, Nelson
EREL deadline 20 September
productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 27 September
 
Thursday 25 October, 9 am – 4.30 pm
Te Manawa Museum, 396 Main St
Palmerston North
EREL deadline 11 October
productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 18 October

Thursday 1 November, 9 am – 4.30 pm
St Columba’s Centre, Ponsonby
Auckland Central
EREL deadline 18 October
productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 25 Octobe