The growing list of state assets that National wants to privatise is a concern, CTU president Helen Kelly said today.

“Workers will be worried to hear that National thinks it is okay for private companies to own our hospitals, schools, universities and polytechnics.”

The Council of Trade Unions today reiterated its call for National to release any background material in support of last week’s employment policy release.

In The Unionist this week: National releases their ACC policy, and more on the comments from ANZ National on the public service.

“It is not surprising that at the same time as ANZ National is moving to outsource “back room” staff overseas, it chooses to attack the Government’s success in rebuilding the dilapidated public services of the 1990s,” CTU President Helen Kelly said in response to ANZ National’s report criticising public spending on public services. 

The Unionist reports on an election poll out this week showing people dont want cuts to public services to pay for tax cuts, a new centre aimed at improving work and lifting wages, work rights for casuals and today's economic news.

The Unionist this week covers the confusion surrounding the National Party's stance on KiwiSaver, the call from the public service union for a reality check on tax cuts and social spending, proposed new work rights covering meal and breastfeeding breaks and climate change.

“National leader John Key’s policy announcement today on the public service shows just how inexperienced he is in this area of important public policy,” CTU president Helen Kelly said.

When the inevitable point scoring debate about the size of the public service takes place during this year’s election campaign, it will be important for us to think about who these public servants are and whether we want a society where these services are maintained, or whether we want one without them, or where we have to pay for them privately, CTU president Helen Kelly said in a column.

"The CTU supports the call by the PSA for clarification of policy and practice relating to actual and potential conflicts of interest for senior staff in ministries,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

"Public service workers are at the heart of providing the high quality services that the public of New Zealand demand," CTU president Ross Wilson said today.