The Council of Trade Unions is calling on the incoming Government to re-jig their tax cut proposals to provide a more balanced package.

The Council of Trade Unions’ Fairness at Work political campaign would continue, a national meeting of the union movement in Wellington has decided today.

“Unions will continue the ‘Fairness at Work’ campaign’s focus of protecting work rights, strengthening public services, and setting out a plan to lift wages,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

The Council of Trade Unions has six questions it believes John Key should be asked in the TVNZ Leaders’ Debate tonight given the focus on jobs and the economy.

Helen Kelly, CTU President, says that there are vital issues affecting workers that are at stake in this election and these questions highlight their concerns.

DomPost column
Helen Kelly, CTU president
Monday November 3

Work Rights a Big Issue in This Election

It would be ignoring the elephant in the room for this column not to talk at this time about the issues for workers in this election.  Given the current economic turmoil, the task of choosing our next Government becomes even more important. 

Add the two packages says CTU

The Council of Trade Unions says that the job transition proposals from the two main parties both have merits, and a combination of the two packages would be the best outcome to ensure workers don’t unfairly bear the brunt of a slowing economy.

The Council of Trade Unions is welcoming initiatives announced today to give workers more security as the economy slows.

CTU president Helen Kelly said a job search allowance helps to deal with the immediate impact of job losses, and workers would value it.

The Council of Trade Unions has today has released a paper on the New Zealand economy.

“It is a paper for unions to discuss but is released as a contribution to the broader debate on what should be done to support workers, firms and communities during the global financial crisis which is starting to impact on the real economy,” CTU Economist Peter Conway said.

“Letting the private insurance industry loose on workplace accident cover is utter nonsense, a point further highlighted by the recent problems in global financial markets,” said Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly, in welcoming Labour’s commitment today for a fully public ACC scheme.

“Labour’s industrial relations policy release today hits all the rights spots both in terms of dealing with the immediate implications of the current economic crisis but also in building future workplaces that are smart and productive, and are decent and fair places to work,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today.

Council of Trade Unions President Helen Kelly is calling on the National Party to abandon their KiwiSaver cuts.