“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 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.

"The record union membership growth in 2005, in particular in the private sector, is the strongest signal yet that workers are choosing to organise collectively in unions to get a better deal at work,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

“Union membership has increased by 35,000 since 2000, and it is alarming that National’s industrial relations spokesperson can’t get even get these basic figures right,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

"Over 12,000 more workers have recognised the importance of joining together in unions," said Carol Beaumont, Secretary of the Council of Trade Unions.

The latest figures from the Industrial Relations Centre at Victoria University of Wellington, released today, show an increase of 12,427 more union members (up 3.4% from 2003) and that since 1999 NZ unions have grown in membership by 17% - an increase of 51,643 members.

The biggest challenge facing unions was to build the union movement's power and influence in order to give workers a stronger voice, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

The results of a new survey confirm growth in union membership but also identify the weaknesses in the Employment Relations Act's capacity to promote collective bargaining as it was intended to do, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

The union movement is continuing to grow, but needs to transform to sustain its position as the voice of working people, Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

Around 300 trade unionists from around the country arrive in Wellington next week for the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Biennial Conference.
The CTU's eighth biennial conference takes place at the Michael Fowler Centre on October 22, 23, and 24.

The theme is A Strong Voice for Working People. The CTU's 34 affiliated unions, representing around 300,000 workers, will attend.

The Minister of Labour, Margaret Wilson will open the conference with a speech entitled "The common purpose: the Employment Relations Act and the Health & Safety in Employment Act."

This speech will include a briefing on the Government's review of the Employment Relations Act.

Day one of the conference will focus on workplace health and safety. A keynote speaker will be the national health and safety director of the Canadian Auto Workers Union, Cathy Walker.

Guy Ryder, the general secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and Sharan Burrow, the president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, will take part in a panel discussion on globalisation on the last day of the conference.