News

Government Action on Foreign Charter Vessels Welcomed

22 May 2012 - 14:38

The Council of Trade Unions welcomes the latest announcement by the Government on Foreign Charter Vessels in our fishing industry.

Peter Conway, CTU Secretary, says that the Government has taken a strong stance to fully phase out the use of charters and this is fully justified.

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Health Budget on track for a $150m shortfall

22 May 2012 - 10:53

A pre-Budget analysis of government health expenditure released today by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions estimates that if the current funding track for Vote Health is continued this year, there will be a $150 million shortfall that must be met by cuts in services, increased user charges or efficiency or productivity increases.

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Significant Progress in AFFCO dispute

21 May 2012 - 10:28

Joint Media Statement

21st May 2012

Significant Progress in AFFCO dispute

After a full day of negotiations in Auckland yesterday the parties to the long running industrial dispute at the AFFCO meat works have made significant progress and are now working quickly towards trying to reach a final agreement for union members to ratify.

The parties today reached provi

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International support for Talley’s AFFCO workers

18 May 2012 - 14:45

The International Union of Food Workers has today passed a resolution of support from their Geneva Congress for Talley’s AFFCO workers who are locked out or on strike.

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Government Undermines Bargaining to Reduce Pay and Conditions

14 May 2012 - 15:28

The Council of Trade Unions today slams another attack by the National Government on workers’ pay and conditions.

Helen Kelly, CTU President, says “the Government has a responsibility to promote collective bargaining. Instead they are undermining it and they know this will further reduce pay and conditions for New Zealand workers.”

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CTU launch AFFCO Workers’ Appeal

11 May 2012 - 10:31

CTU President Helen Kelly is today making a nationwide appeal for people to support the Talley’s AFFCO workers who are experiencing significant hardship at the hands of Talley’s AFFCO who have locked out hundreds of workers for over 2 months now.

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More jobs needed to lower beneficiary numbers

8 May 2012 - 13:42

CTU welcomes extra investment to get people in to employment announced yesterday, and supports measures targeted towards training and work readiness for young people but the punitive approach to beneficiaries is unnecessary and not the answer says Bill Rosenberg, CTU Economist, its aims would be achieved simply by getting job-rich growth back into the economy.

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Youth unemployment needs to be a priority

4 May 2012 - 09:42

The CTU's youth sector, Stand Up, is alarmed at the increase in youth unemployment for 15-24 year olds, and calls on the Government to make youth unemployment a top priority.

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Unemployment gets even worse

3 May 2012 - 11:38

CTU Secretary, Peter Conway says that the continuing high and rising level of unemployment is alarming. Statistics released today show a 6.7 percent unemployment rate up from 6.4 percent in December. There are now 160,000 people unemployed – 9,000 more than just three months ago. Jobs available are just not increasing fast enough to keep up with people needing jobs.

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Very small catch-up for wages, but uneven gains

1 May 2012 - 13:00

“The 2.0 percent increase in wage levels for the year to March seen in the Labour Cost Index statistics released today, shows some wage and salary earners are getting a modest catch-up when compared to the 1.6 rise in CPI, after high inflation last year”, says CTU economist Bill Rosenberg.

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