May, 2007

“Collective bargaining provides the best opportunity and framework for addressing working conditions and chronic low wages in the aged care sector,” Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Development opportunities for food industry workers was a key focus of a two day conference in Hamilton last week for unions in the food industry, writes the Unionist this week.  We also report on the international solidarity focus at the CTU National Affiliates Council meeting in Wellington yesterday.

“The union movement is gravely concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines and are urging our Prime Minister to raise this with Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her New Zealand visit next week,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

The Council of Trade Unions today opened nominations for the four elected positions within the organisation, President, Vice President, Vice President Maori and Secretary-Treasurer.

“I am delighted that the union for All Whites has seen the value in working with other unions at a national level, and look forward to welcoming them at our National Council today,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

"Public service workers are at the heart of providing the high quality services that the public of New Zealand demand," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“Union support for Kiwisaver is overwhelming despite some high profile media comment suggesting otherwise,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“It is more than a bit rich for business interests and the National party to moan about a 4% employer superannuation contribution when the government are fronting up with the majority of the money for it,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“I hope that that employers will use their large tax cut to invest in modernisation, improving productivity, skills and boosting wages for workers in a tight labour market,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“The Budget enhancements to Kiwisaver will ensure it is a flying success,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“This is the action of corporate bullies who have a callous disregard for these low paid workers and their families,” CTU president Ross Wilson said tonight.

“The negative impact of shop trading on Easter Sunday will not only be felt by the 200,000 strong retail workforce, but by families, sports clubs, voluntary groups, worship activities and in marae across the whole country,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

The Council of Trade Unions is marking International Families Day with a call that all workers should have access to work-life balance solutions, not just the few.

“Unions were proud to have played a key role in the campaign to Make Poverty History,” CTU vice president Maori Sharon Clair said today.

A plant operator and EPMU member at New Zealand Steel in Waiuku has won this year’s ‘Most Influential Employee Award’ at the annual Safeguard Workplace Health and Safety Awards, writes the Unionist this week.

Either read on, or you can download a printable version here (PDF file, 65 kb)

“Can the bank economists this time please stop saying low unemployment is bad news and look in the mirror?” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“A huge international corporate like Subway should know better than to fire someone at will for such an incredibly minor issue as drink sharing,” Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

Wage growth remains modest compared with inflation, with ordinary time wages up by 3.2% in the last year while consumer prices were up by 2.5%, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

Out @ Work was first off the mark in late April with their biennial Kamp, as the Council of Trade Unions biennial conference season arrives, writes the Unionist this week.  We also report on the end of the lockout in Auckland, and on the launch of stage three of the CTU's health and safety training.

“Amcor Flexibles should immediately end its lockout of more than 50 factory workers in Auckland and get back to the negotiating table,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

"A tremendous boost for low paid workers and a milestone in the co-operative work being undertaken in the aged care sector" CTU president Ross Wilson said today in welcoming the Government funding boost announced today.

“National’s call for flexible labour law will send shudders down the spines of workers who remember National Party flexibility ‘1990s style’ – manifested in cuts to their wages, conditions and security of work,” CTU president Ross Wilson said.