Rights and Protections
Joining a Union
Unions exist for workers to support each other so that they don’t have to face a problem, or negotiate improvements to their working conditions, on their own. When workers act together they have strength and safety in numbers and have a better chance of getting what they need at work and beyond.
Unions are democratically run by their members. Union members elect union representatives (delegates) from workplaces, and make decisions on things like how the union is run, and what to focus on when negotiating with the employer.
Through the NZ Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, unions work co-operatively with other unions to improve the position of all New Zealand workers. The benefits most workers receive today are largely the result of what unions have gained in improvements to their members' wages, benefits and working conditions over the last 100 years.
Join a union online here or you can find out what union covers workers in your occupation or industry
Your Rights at Work
Everyone has the right to decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Unions ensure that, as a worker, your voice is heard, your views are respected and your rights under the law are upheld. 
Depending on your age and how long you've been in the job, your rights at work include things like being paid at least the current minimum wage, having a written employment agreement and having sick leave and public holidays.
Click here to check out your rights at work from the Department of Labour's website.
Or download these Council of Trade Unions leaflets with your rights below, updated by Stand Up - the CTU's young worker section:
New migrant workers - your rights at work leaflet: outside (pdf 1.7mb) inside (pdf 1.6mb)
