Media Releases

Findings released today by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research show that the gender wage imbalance can be attributed simply to sexism. “It’s 2017 – we’ve come so far as a society. But there is so much more we must do to remove barriers in the way of women being paid fairly,” CTU President Richard Wagstaff said.… Read more »

Treasury’s pre-election update of its forecasts for the economy and government finances, released today, show that the government surplus won’t meet what New Zealanders need in priority areas of health, education and housing. “The Government will make much of the fact that it has achieved a surplus – but it is a false surplus when… Read more »

On Monday forestry worker Te Oho Mauri Piripi (“Piri”) Bartlet was killed at work. He is the second member of his family to have been killed at work in the forestry industry in a year. Te Oho Mauri Bartlet is also the fifth person to have been killed in forestry this year. 2017 is already… Read more »

Cross-party political agreement to establish an agency to take ownership of the Pike River mine has been reached today. The goal to recover human remains and evidence means that justice is a step closer for the families. The commitment was signed this afternoon by the leaders of Labour, United Future, The Maori Party, and the… Read more »

Today the Council of Trade Unions, on behalf of all working women, is calling on all women in Parliament to vote for women and vote against the first reading of the Government’s Employment (Pay Equity and Equal Pay) Bill. Those that do vote against are being offered a white flower to wear. This Bill will… Read more »

Figures out today from Stats New Zealand tell a bleak story about the labour market. CTU President Richard Wagstaff comments, “Too many people are still unemployed and looking for more work – and nothing has been done about it.” “A decade ago we had many fewer people unemployed, 3.3% of the labour force. Nine years of… Read more »

The Government has today tabled the Employment (Pay Equity and Equal Pay) Bill with the first reading expected next week. CTU Vice President Rachel Mackintosh has serious concerns about the content and direction of this Bill, “we are carefully examining the detail of this proposed law but it does look as though it will be… Read more »

The ‘Guidance on closing the pay gap’ released today by Women’s Minister Paula Bennett is silent on the role of unions. “Given the critical and leading role unions have played historically in the fight for equal pay, and more recently in the Care and Support Settlement, it is very odd that this guidance completely omits any reference to unions,” said CTU… Read more »

Labour’s announced fiscal plan today has been welcomed by the Council of Trade Unions. ‘This plan demonstrates a real and positive alternative to the Government’s budget and gives people a real choice when they cast their vote in September’s election,’ CTU President Richard Wagstaff said. ‘Labour’s fiscal plan delivers real gains in health, housing, education… Read more »