CTU Out@Work Network

The CTU Out@Work network was set up in 2000 as the Council of Trade Union's network for lesbian, gay, takataapui, bisexual, intersex, transgender and fa'afafine union members.

Out at Work meets four times a year either by video conference or by a face to face meeting in Wellington, and comprises formal representatives from affiliated unions.  Any interested union members and/or delegates are welcome to attend.  The Out@Work council meeting dates have not been set but will be scheduled as early as possible in the new year. 

Each affiliated union to the NZCTU can appoint a representative to the Out@Work Council although a number choose not to.  Each union is responsible for its own selection process and they then notify the Council who their person is.  Nominations are for a two-year period and usually occur after the bi-ennial Out@Work Kamp.    This Kamp helps set the workplan for the two-years until the next Kamp.  The picture above is from the 2011 Kamp and will be changed on a regular basis, so keep on coming back - if you were at Kamp you could be next ...  If you would like to read one of the co-convenor's report of the 2011 Conference, please click here.

The CTU, in conjunction with the Council, has developed a pamphlet.  You can either click here or on the image to download the Out@Work pamphlet (pdf doc 278 kb). 

Upcoming Events 

Pink Shirt Day - Every year the union movement supports Pink Shirt Day.  The date has been set for 2012 and it is Friday 18th May so lets all start to think about what pink shirt we are going to wear on the day.  Start your planning now and make this day a bright pink day in New Zealand's calendar.  To find about more about this event, just click here.

Click here for Earlier Events

News 

Carmen Rupe - "Rest well my darling"- It is with sadness that the Out at Work Council acknowledges the passing of Carmen Rupe.  Carmen changed the face of New Zealand and allowed people to see the truly special place that drag queens have in our society.   She challenged us all to look beneath the veneer of normal society and helped us all accept the pepople we were.    To read more about this ground-breaking individual from one of her closest friends, just click here.

Police Allay Safety Concerns Amongst LGBTI Community - Wellington Police issued a media release on 13th December to allay the fears raised by the LGBTI community in relation to the unprovoked, random and vicious attack on 43 year old Wellington journalist Phillip Cottrell.  Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller wanted to the let the community know that they did not believe that the sexual orientation of the victim was a factor in his death.  To read the complete press release, just click here.  Two teens have since been charged with his murder, police are still asking motorists and people to come forward who were in the vicinity of Boulcott St around 5.30am Saturday morning (10th December).  Click here for more information.

Hague and Logie to share Rainbow portfolio - The Green Party has decided to share the Rainbow portfolio between the two gay MPs, Kevin Hague and Jan Logie.  Kevin Hague will also have Health, ACC, Cycling, Sport and Recreation, Alcohol and Other Drugs whilst first-time MP Jan Logie will look after Women, Income Support, Immigration, Pacific Island Affairs, Ethnic Affairs and Human Rights.

Robertson's rise shows NZ society's "grown up" - With the selection of out and proud gay MP Grant Robertson as the deputy leader of the NZ Labour Party, OUTLineNZ General Manager Vaughan Meneses believes that this is a positive sign of just how grown up NZ has become as a society.  It is a recognition of the skill, talent and respect that Grant Robertson has gained amongst his colleagues and the wider community that sees such an acceptance of a gay person in such a high ranking position.  To read more about what Vaughan Meneses said, click here.

Belgium wwears in gay Prime Minister - After 18 months of not being able to form a government, Belgium has finally sworn in openly gay man, Elio Di Rupo, leader of the most staunchly socialist political party.  Di Dupo is described as an athiest, socialist, and francophone who frequently wears trademark vivid red bow ties.  Click here to read more about Elio Di Rupo.

For older news just click here.

Unions LGBTI Pages and Other Useful Links

NZCTU Letter to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda condemning the anti homosexuality bill before their parliament.

NZCTU Letter to the President of Malawi congratulating him on pardoning the gay couple and asking for a change to their laws that enabled them to be arrested in the first place.

Just click here to find out which unions have Out@Work pages and to access a lot of interesting links. 

For more information about Out@Work just contact the convenors -         Jo Wrigley and Karena Brown