December, 2007

The Council of Trade Unions says that a major concern in the current account deficit figures announced today is the continuing trend towards repatriation of profits to foreign owned firms in New Zealand.

“A 70 per cent increase in the minimum wage since 1999 helps build momentum to make low wages history,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today, in response to media reports this morning that Cabinet have agreed to increase the minimum wage from $11.25 to $12 an hour.

"The CTU called for more open, transparent elections and a limit on the undue influence of wealthy interests, and the Electoral Finance Bill, passed today, is an important step in that direction,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

“Continuing with a strong public sector and ongoing investment in public services, health, education and infrastructure are CTU priorities for Budget 2008,” CTU president Helen Kelly said following the release of the Half Yearly Fiscal Update and Budget Policy Statement.

"Migrant workers have always been a vital part of our society, and on International Migrants Day it is timely to recognise their contribution to New Zealand and to recommit to quality, decent work for all workers,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“The numbers of workers joining together in unions is increasing steadily with further growth in 2006, particularly in the private sector,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today, in response to Victoria University’s annual survey of union membership.

The Council of Trade Unions has backed the Maritime Union’s campaign to save 85 jobs on the Port of Napier, following a decision by the Hawkes Bay Regional Council owned Port company to change stevedoring contractors, without securing employment protections for the current workers.

The Council of Trade Unions said a quick resolution to the senior doctors pay dispute was needed, following a majority decision by members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists in favour of industrial action.

The Unionist today reports on the ongoing debate about the wage gap with Australia and a skills agreement signed last week in Wairoa.

“New Zealand now has a structural problem of low wages, and the 30% wage gap with Australia will only be closed through more widespread industry wide collective bargaining, supported by ongoing improvements in productivity,” said CTU economist Peter Conway.

"Research informing the debate over employment disputes is welcome and will hopefully lead to a more level headed debate over employment protections for workers," CTU president Helen Kelly said today.

The government today released research into the resolution of workplace problems, with several proposals for considering changes to the system.

"Unions have called for changes to the tax on redundancy payments, and support the proposals tabled by the government today," Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said.

"Although unemployment is at a relatively low level, there are still significant numbers of workers being made redundant, and redundancy pay can push them into a higher tax bracket."

“The right to an adequate standard of living and the right to form and join a trade union are among work rights guaranteed as human rights in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today on International Human Rights Day.

“Aged Care workers around the country today will be calling on DHBs and government to fix up processes in the contracting of aged care services so that progress on low wages in the sector can continue to be made,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today.

The Unionist this week reports on the wage gap with Australia, electoral finance and upcoming Billy Bragg concerts.

“The wage gap with Australia started opening up many years ago and the less tax, hands off, free market solutions proposed today by the Centre for Independent Studies are pretty unimaginative,” CTU vice president Richard Wagstaff said today.

Dominion Post BusinessDay column
Helen Kelly, CTU president
Published Monday December 3 2007.

The Electoral Finance Bill will come back before the house later this week.

The problems with the Bill have been well documented.  In some cases these problems were significant, such as those affecting the legitimate role of third party advocacy groups.