Labour Market Issues

Unemployment still far too high

3 Feb 2011 - 11:22

The rate of unemployment appears to be stuck at a high level and more needs to be done to create jobs and assist the unemployed.

The unemployment rate of 6.8 percent published today shows that the Government has dropped the ball on the jobs issue, said the CTU.

CTU Secretary Peter Conway said: “The Government cannot simply sit back and rely on the Rugby World Cup and rebuilding

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90 day survey a poor endorsement for unfairness

2 Feb 2011 - 15:19

The survey of 90 day ‘fire at will’ trials published today is another feeble attempt to justify this unfair law, said the Council of Trade Unions.

CTU President Helen Kelly said: “Nothing in this survey contradicts the essential point that the law strips employees of the right to a fair hearing and allows bosses to sack people for nothing – which we have proved is happening.”

“T

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Where are the jobs in Prime Minister’s ‘bright future’?

26 Jan 2011 - 16:00

John Key’s vision of a ‘brighter future’ sheds no light on what the Government is going to do about unemployment or wages, said CTU President Helen Kelly today.

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Māori employment suffering from timber job losses

20 Dec 2010 - 12:17

The recent spate of redundancies in the timber industry is a blow to Māori employment in particular, said the CTU today. The CTU Runanga called on the Māori Party to use whatever influence it had in government to help safeguard more jobs and create new opportunities.

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Government loses plot on supporting Kiwi jobs

14 Dec 2010 - 11:07

Two announcements today show the Government missing two opportunities to preserve and build good Kiwi jobs, said the CTU. More Kiwirail rolling stock is being manufactured overseas, and the management of two Auckland prisons is being privatised, with likely job and income losses.

Kiwirail has announced that a $29 million tender for 300 rail wagons has gone to China CNR Corporation.

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Gloomy NZIER outlook holds fears for jobs

30 Nov 2010 - 12:36

CTU Secretary Peter Conway says the gloomy NZIER Report that the economic recovery has reversed adds to union concerns about the employment outlook. The NZIER's December 2010 Quarterly Predictions published today foresees ‘wintry economic conditions this summer’.

Peter Conway said: “The prospects for sustained and strong economic growth do not look good.

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Too many unemployed

9 Nov 2010 - 15:36

The CTU said today that a small drop in the numbers on unemployment benefit is welcome. The drop of 483 people to reach 64,798 on unemployment benefit is however a tiny step towards an economic recovery.

Peter Conway, CTU Secretary, said: “In May 2008, there were 17,246 people on unemployment benefit.

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Improvement in employment figures but not fast enough

4 Nov 2010 - 11:25

Today’s Statistics NZ figures showing unemployment at 6.4 percent is a welcome step in the right direction but the improvement is neither fast enough nor substantial enough, said the CTU.

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Unemployment artificially high?

3 Nov 2010 - 09:21

The CTU hit out today at the BNZ for saying that sub-4 percent unemployment in 2008 was ‘artificially low’.

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Wages – new approach needed

2 Nov 2010 - 11:51

Wage growth is stalling, raising further concerns over the Government’s strategy for closing the earnings gap with Australia, said the CTU today.

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