Food industry unions affiliated to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Council of Trade Unions are gathering in Wellington today and tomorrow in what is an historic first.

The Unionist, Issue 43, 26 May 2006.

Either read on, or you can download the printed version of The Unionist here (PDF file, 35 kb) [7]

"The Council of Trade Unions is not opposed to improving the quality of our regulatory environment, but New Zealand is already judged the easiest country in the world to do business, with a comparably light regulatory framework," CTU president Ross Wilson said.

The Council of Trade Unions Runanga is expressing disappointment with the lack of support for Maori development in Budget 2006.

"No new funding was allocated to Vote Maori Affairs. Instead the Minister of Maori Affairs has abandoned existing programmes in order to support the Maori Potential Framework, still under development," said Sharon Clair, CTU Vice President Maori.

"The priority at this time is to invest in a modernisation programme that can lift wages and economic performance on a sustainable basis. The Budget addresses that key agenda," said Ross Wilson, Council of Trade Unions president today.

Council of Trade Unions Secretary Carol Beaumont says that the CTU is pleased that this year?s Budget has put some real money into new initiatives to address workforce issues around literacy, numeracy and language skills, with $33.5 million in funding over 4 years to improve 'foundation' skills.

The main income issue for workers is the need for higher wages, not tax cuts that will benefit the wealthy, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today, ahead of tomorrow?s budget.

"Businesses need to lift wages rather than suggest that tax rates can bridge the gap between New Zealand and Australian incomes," Council of Trade Unions Economist Peter Conway said today.

The Council of Trade Unions is asking New Zealanders to consider the many benefits of buying kiwi made products and services.

"By buying local, kiwis are contributing to New Zealand in many ways - not only by putting money directly into local business and providing jobs, but also to public services such as health and education through the tax base," said Ross Wilson, Council of Trade Unions President.

Unions have intensified their campaign against Wayne Mapp's 90 days bill, writes the Unionist this week.  

Either read on, or you can download the printed version of The Unionist here (PDF file, 35 kb) [20]

Extensions to paid parental leave passed by Parliament will further assist working women to achieve quality working lives, the Council of Trade Unions said tonight.

An amendment bill to extend paid parental leave coverage to self-employed workers passed into law a short time ago with cross party support.

"Wages have taken some time to catch up after 5 strong years of economic growth, and they must continue to rise if we are to address our low wage crisis," Peter Conway, Council of Trade Unions Economist said today.

The legality of youth rates has come into question, writes the Unionist this week.

Either read on, or you can download the printed version of The Unionist here (PDF file, 35 kb) [26]

"Legal advice to the Attorney General that youth rates are illegal is a significant step in our campaign to eliminate this form of discrimination against young workers," Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.