The Unionist, Issue 90, Oct 5 2007

The Unionist this week reports on New Zealand events in support of the Burmese democracy movement, and on the latest New Zealand Income Survey.

Events on Burma

Events are taking place around New Zealand tomorrow as part of a global day of action in support of the people of Burma.

Vigils and rallies are happening in Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin, with CTU speakers at some events.  They follow the rally and vigil in Auckland last Saturday.  Details about events are on the CTU website here http://union.org.nz/event/2007/a-day-of-international-action-for-a-free-burma

At its most recent meeting, the CTU national council called for an end to the regime’s blatant attempt to intimidate and silence those who are engaged in peaceful promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma, and renewed its call for Burma’s military to release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Meanwhile the International Trade Union Confederation said this week it was writing to several hundred companies known or suspected of having business links to Burma to pull out of the country and “stop propping up the brutal regime”, and is calling on governments to extend economic sanctions to cover all economic sectors.

“No company can claim to have clean hands if it is doing business in or with Burma, since the Generals take their cut out of every deal. We have been calling for several years on companies to disinvest, and those who have refused to do so will now be exposed to the full weight of public condemnation for effectively supporting a ruthless, corrupt and bloody dictatorship”, ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder said on Wednesday.

An online petition organised by AAVAZ is here http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_burma/

Gender Pay Gap Persists

The gender pay gap is stubbornly persisting at around 15 per cent, despite rising incomes, showing there is still discrimination against women in today’s labour market,” CTU vice president Helen Kelly said this week.

The NZ Income Survey for the June 2007 quarter released on Thursday showed that average hourly earnings for female full-time wage and salary workers increased from $18.96 to $20.39, and for men it increased from $21.72 to $23.72, representing a 14 per cent gap.

The gap between men's and women's average full-time hourly was 13 per cent in last year's survey, and 16 per cent in 2005.

“Overall incomes are rising, and this is good news.  The only way we are going to close the 30 per cent wage gap with Australia is through regular increases in workers’ wages.”

“But the gender pay gap still persists, largely because of problems such as occupational segregation, undervaluing of work primarily done by women, and because more men are in the highest paid jobs.”

“Unions do make a difference and research has demonstrated how the gender pay gap can be reduced through collective bargaining.  The nurses and midwives collective agreement was a good example of unions addressing pay and employment equity through collective bargaining and campaigning.”

“Joining their union and campaigning with other workers is the best thing women can do to close the pay gap and lift wages, especially for low income workers in industries such as aged care, cleaning and retail,” Helen Kelly said.

In Brief

A reminder of local government and District Health Board elections, voting for which closes next week.  Information from unions about these elections is here: http://union.org.nz/localgovtelections

The CTU, Business New Zealand, ACC and Department of Labour are jointly reviewing the Accredited Employer Programme. The intention of the Review is to make practical improvements to the management of work injury claims by employers.  Research New Zealand is conducting a survey for union input into the review, aimed at seeking the views of union organisers, delegates and Health and Safety representatives.  For more information about this, click here http://worksafereps.org.nz/training/programmes/partnership

Events Calendar

Unions Local - upcoming meetings in October

Unions Gisborne
Mon Oct 8, 4.30pm.
Trades & Labour Hall, Corner Customhouse St. & Childers Rd.
Colleen.Ryan@ndu.org.nz

Unions Otago AGM
Monday Oct 8, 5pm
NZNO Office, 7 Crawford Street , Dunedin
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Wellington
Monday Oct 8, 5pm.
CTU, Lv 7, West Block, 178 Willis St Wellington
pbolster@anet.co.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues Oct 16, 4pm
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur 18 Oct, 4pm (note revised date this month only)
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri Oct 26, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue Oct 30 2007, 4pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Other Events and Campaigns

* Actions for Burma.  See news story above.

* Workers Education Association
"Local Democracy?" Forums
Monday 8th October 12:10 - 1:00 p.m.
The last of our Mayoral candidate speakers Cllr. Helene Ritchie Centre for Global Action 2nd Floor, James Smiths Bldg cnr. Cuba St & Manners Mall Wellington pbolster@anet.co.nz

* Labour Day
UNIONS WELLINGTON FILM SHOWING
 "China Blue"
6:00 p.m, Labour Day, Monday October 22nd
Tickets $20 each (before October 11th, if possible) from Greg Lloyd greg.lloyd@psa.org.nz or Pat Bolster patb@nzctu.org.nz
China Blue is a documentary that screened in the film festival last year. It is about a factory in China making denim jeans for the West and shows the harsh conditions the workers are forced to endure. By all accounts it is extremely compelling. More details of the film can be found at: http://www.teddybearfilms.com/ourfilms

* The Working Women’s Resource Centre is holding three seminars for women on the issue of DEALING WITH BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE.These seminars will cover recognising bullying behaviour, what you can do about it yourself, with your co workers and your union and your legal rights in relation to bullying. 
Thursday 18th October 2007, 4.30pm - 8.00pm, Avondale Community Centre, 99 Rosebank Road, AVONDALE.
Saturday 27th October 2007, 10.30am to 2.00pm, Ferndale House, Rose Room, 830 New North Road Mt Albert.
Saturday 3rd November 2007, 2.30pm to 6.00pm, Dunkirk Activity Centre, 50 Dunkirk Road, Panmure.
To enrol in the above seminars please email Ros Hiini wwrc@ihug.co.nz Phone 09 379 7906 or Fax 09 375 2681.  Please enroll early as places are limited.  Seminars and workbooks designed and presented by Shayne Mathieson, Top Drawer Consultant.  Funding from Auckland City.  

CTU Meetings, Training

* KIA HIWA RA!
KIA HIWA RA!
He tono tenei mai Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi o Aotearoa - Te Kauae Kaimahi ki nga kaimahi me nga uniana o te  motu, nau mai haere mai!
A call to unions and workers around the motu to register for an educational day of reflecting, refreshing and refocusing around union kaupapa, whanau, hapu and iwi development.
Where & When
Wellington - 1 November
Whangarei - 7 November
Napier - 14 November
Auckland 21 November
Contact Helen Te Hira
Helent@nzctu.org.nz / 09 303 9018 or 0210554969 Or Karen Newson, NZCTU Organizing Center karen@nzctu.org.nz / 09 303 9048

* 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:

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 October

Tuesday 20 November, 9 am - 4.30 pm
EPMU Training Room, 298 Cashel Street
Christchurch
EREL deadline 6 Nov
productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 13 November

Thursday 22 November, 9 am - 4.30 pm
Edgar Centre, Cnr Portsmouth Dr and Midland Street Dunedin EREL deadline 8 November productivity@nzctu.org.nz by 15 November