The coming Budget: between a rock and a hard place
The new Government’s first Budget will be announced on 17 May. What pressures is it facing? It will be in a pincer between the spending… Read More »The coming Budget: between a rock and a hard place
Economy
Trade and investment policy can and should be more inclusive
The Council of Trade Unions says that a debate on our approach to trade and investment policy is welcome and overdue. “We want to work with Government… Read More »Trade and investment policy can and should be more inclusive
Why the TPPA-11 is still a bad deal
The Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) has shrunk into the 11 member “Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Agreement” (I’ll call it the TPPA-11) with the exit of… Read More »Why the TPPA-11 is still a bad deal
Was National a ‘good economic manager’?
It’s a crucial part of the mythology around National Party Governments that they are “good economic managers”, as their new leader, Simon Bridges, is repeating. The business commentariat repeat it endlessly too. How true is this?
Read More »Was National a ‘good economic manager’?
Provincial Growth Fund exciting opportunity to build good jobs for the future
Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff said today that he was excited to see such swift and broad progress on the Provincial Growth Fund… Read More »Provincial Growth Fund exciting opportunity to build good jobs for the future
Government makes steps towards repaying long-term debts to society
CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg welcomed the Government’s Half Year Fiscal Update as a positive sign that the Government was willing to repay the social and… Read More »Government makes steps towards repaying long-term debts to society
How low wages hold back progress
Wages are important socially and economically, but wages are low in New Zealand. We are in a low wage rut, dependent on low wage industries… Read More »How low wages hold back progress
Wage and salary earners $11,500 a year short on their parent’s share of national wealth
Statistics New Zealand’s National Accounts (Income and Expenditure) data released today shows that working people are getting the smallest slice of the pie in New… Read More »Wage and salary earners $11,500 a year short on their parent’s share of national wealth
“Creating Our Future” – Richard Wagstaff Addresses the 2017 Biennial Conference
Download a full copy of the speech: Richard Wagstaff’s CTU Conference Speech 2017
The union pay premium, 2017
In August, the Centre for Labour, Employment and Work (CLEW) at Victoria University released their annual analysis of collective employment agreements (CEAs). It shows again… Read More »The union pay premium, 2017
New Vision for the Minimum Wage a Great Tonic
“This is just the sort of change working people voted for,” says CTU President Richard Wagstaff. “It is great to see the Labour-New Zealand First… Read More »New Vision for the Minimum Wage a Great Tonic
Living in New Zealand now even more expensive – especially if you are poor
The release of the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) by Statistics New Zealand shows that incomes are not keeping up with the cost of living. “Prices are rising faster than wages, and some of the biggest price rises are basic necessities for the lowest paid” said Sam Huggard, Council of Trade Unions Secretary.
Read More »Living in New Zealand now even more expensive – especially if you are poor