The Unionist, Issue 92, Nov 2 2007

Two national surveys out this week reinforced core Council of Trade Union campaign policy planks of stronger public services and higher wages, writes The Unionist CTU this week.  We also report on a new campaign by Komiti Pasefika to make sure young workers know their work rights.

Surveys back up union political strategy

Two national surveys out this week reinforced core Council of Trade Union campaign policy planks of stronger public services and higher wages, the CTU said this week.

Last month the CTU launched its political strategy at biennial conference.

“It centres on unions doing our politics differently, recognising specific political roles for union members, and backing up our political strategy with union activism around the core themes of work rights, public services and higher wages," CTU president Helen Kelly said at the launch of the strategy on October 17.

On Tuesday Research New Zealand released a survey showing a higher level of support among New Zealanders for using budget surpluses to deliver more public services and works (48%) than tax cuts (35%).

Meanwhile 90 per cent of respondents to a Shape NZ survey released the same day were concerned with skills shortages, and three quarter listed inadequate pay as a driver.

“New Zealanders expect and demand high quality public services that are accessible to all.  The CTU recognises that tax cuts may be coming, but they must not undermine the public services we need now and in the future. Tax cuts are great news if you’re rich, but the main income issue for working people is the need for higher wages,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said, in response to the surveys.

“We think there is a strong case for a higher minimum wage, improved employment law to genuinely promote industry and multi-employer collective bargaining to lift wage rates across industries, and continuing to link workforce development including decent pay and conditions to sustainable industry development.”

The fact that 74 per cent of business owners in the Shape NZ survey recognised low pay as a driver of skills shortages was significant, Beaumont said.

“Many employers will agree that wages are too low. They also recognise that it is difficult for one employer to move too far ahead of his or her competitors. But they still resist industry bargaining which could provide a stable platform for attracting workers to the sector and retaining them as well as the promotion of transferable skills,” she said.

Union Campaign on Work Rights Helps Young Workers Leading Into Summer Holiday

The Council of Trade Unions Komiti Pasefika yesterday launched a new campaign to raise awareness over summer among young people about their rights at work.

Using their own website www.kpy.co.nz, and Bebo, MySpace and YouTube, the KPY (Komiti Pasefika Youth) Awareness Campaign will run for 8 weeks, and every Friday until Xmas the Full Phat Breakfast on Auckland's Flava will be giving away prizes.

“We wanted to go where young people were, and the websites encourage more interactivity and creativity.   The whole aim of the project is to help young workers learn their work rights by using fun video animations, prizes, quizzes and text messaging,” Komiti Pasefika co-convenor Teresa Brown said.

Visit www.kpy.co.nz for more.

The New Zealand Federation of Labour 1937-1987
- Registrations close at noon Monday 5th Nov

The seventieth anniversary of the Federation of Labour is being marked at a seminar in Wellington on Friday 9 November.

The Federation of Labour was formed in 1937.  In 1987, the Federation joined with the Combined States Unions to form the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions. 

The seminar is being organized by the CTU and the Trade Union History Project, and full details about the forum are here on the CTU website.

Events Listing

Unions Local

Unions Tauranga
Mon Nov 12, 4pm.
Seafarers Centre, Hull Rd, Mt Maunganui. 
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Otago
Mon Nov 12, 5.15pm.
NZNO, Victoria Chambers, 7 Crawford Street, Dunedin. 
glendaa@nzno.org.nz

Unions Auckland
Thur Nov 15, 4pm
Trades Hall, 147 Gt Nth Rd.
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Canterbury
Tues Nov 20, 4pm (note revised time)
TUC, 199 Armagh Street, Christchurch.
Karena.Brown@epmu.org.nz

Unions Northland
Tue Nov 27 2007, 4pm
TUC, 7 First Ave, Whangarei
garry.parsloe@munz.org.nz

Unions Manawatu
Fri Nov 30, 3pm.
PSA House, 41-47 King St, Palmerston North
john.shennan@psa.org.nz

Other events and campaigns

Global Peace & Justice Auckland forum, guest speaker Jane Kelsey, and defence campaign planning meeting.  Monday November 5, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel, Queen St, Opposite Town Hall.  More info about the Civil Rights Defence Committee: http://www.civilrightsdefence.org.nz

The Bruce Jesson Foundation and the Faculty of Arts present the 2007 Bruce Jesson Lecture
Friday 9 November, 6.30pm
Maidment Theatre  University of Auckland Alfred Street
Speaker: Laila Harre, National Secretary National Distribution Union
THE RELEVANCE OF UNIONS IN 21st CENTURY AOTEAROAFor 20 years unions have been engaged in a struggle for relevance - relevance to both workers and the wider social and economic environment in which we organise. This lecture will look at possible futures for the union movement and the potential and need for workers to organise industrially and politically. More than ever we are dependent on what happens at work and what we get from doing it. The question is not whether we need unions, but what sort of unions we need.
The bar will be open from 5.30pm.  A collection for donations to the Bruce Jesson Trust will be taken.

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:

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

Register your interest:
If you are keen to attend a future workshop please tell us your name and location and details of how to contact you Email Sandy - productivity@nzctu.org.nz. Check out the WPEP website for more information: http://union.org.nz/workplaceproductivity.html

* 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

Other

New Zealand Institute of Safety Management Wellington Branch Training Seminar
Health, Safety and Productivity in Action
Weds 28 Nov 2007, 9am to 5pm, Conference Room, Mercy Centre, 15 Guildford Tce, off Hill Street, beside Parliament.
$140 for NZISM Members / $200 for non members
Participate in this workshop with others to explore your challenges and develop new inventive goals that will creative a healthy culture and improve productivity in your organisation; and create ideas to motivate, re-energise and influence your workplaces through changing gear in Health and Safety.
Expressions of interest welcome to Jen Breed on 0274306700 or jen.breed@xtra.co.nz or Bryan Watts, bryan.watts@clear.net.nz