Environment

Mining is important to the New Zealand economy, but not important enough to justify violating Schedule 4 conservation protections, said the Council of Trade Unions today.

The Council of Trade Unions is joining calls today for a ban on the use of the toxic gas methyl bromide for fumigating logs at New Zealand ports. The CTU is part of the Coalition Against the Use of Methyl Bromide which held a protest today in Wellington near the waterfront timber yards.

There is precious little comfort for workers, for the poor and for the environment in John Key’s speech yesterday, said acting NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff today. “The devil is in the detail, and we are worried at what will emerge when the Government finally confirms those details,” he said.

The Council of Trade Unions is calling for the use of methyl bromide to be completely banned in New Zealand as evidence mounts that it puts worker health and safety at serious risk. Methyl bromide is used for the pre-export fumigation of logs.

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The CTU has previously submitted on climate change issues.

The Council of Trade Union wants Thursday’s Budget to focus on the labour market with a major boost to both job creation and skills development.

The Government’s memorandum of agreement with the Green Party on home insulation and energy efficiency announced today offers the potential to retain and create jobs as well as make families healthier, said CTU Secretary Peter Conway.

The CTU welcomes the progress being made in Parliament on the emissions trading scheme.

The Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill as reported back from the Select Committee shows that a lot of effort has gone into consultation with stakeholders Council of Trade Unions Economist Peter Conway said today.

The Council of Trade Unions is calling on industry to be more constructive on climate change issues.