Figures out today from Statistics New Zealand show that wages in the private sector are falling behind the cost of living and that urgent action from Government is needed. The average hourly wage grew by only 1.5 percent, well behind inflation of 2.2 percent over the year. “Kiwis need wages to be increasing. At the… Read more »
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In the last two weeks seven New Zealanders went to work and never came home. They were killed at work. This Workers Memorial Day, April 28th, we remember them and other working people who were killed at work. “We must do better. All Kiwis should be confident that when they leave home they’ll be able… Read more »
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“We need Equal Pay legislation that is consistent with the recent Court of Appeal Judgement on the Terranova Case and the agreed Joint Working Group recommended principles. This Exposure Bill falls short in crucial areas,” said CTU President Richard Wagstaff today following the release of the Government’s Equal Pay Exposure Draft Bill. “Significant parts of… Read more »
Read more... “Not only is the 1 percent overall rise in prices this quarter larger than expected, but it is concentrated mainly in necessities that hit the budgets of low and middle income households hardest,” says CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg, responding to today’s CPI release. “Whether you look at the increase in the three months to the… Read more »
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Lifting wages and improving the quality of work for workers in industries with large number of temporary migrant workers need as much attention as modifications announced today, the CTU says. The government today announced changes to immigration, largely focusing on the skilled migrant category, the proposed South Island pathway and the essential skills work visa.… Read more »
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Unions representing care and support workers are pleased to be jointly announcing with government a proposed equal pay settlement to 55,000 workers across the aged residential, disability and home support sectors. The proposed settlement is a huge win and will make a real difference in valuing the work of care and support workers and the… Read more »
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A just-released OECD report on New Zealand calling for a more active role for the government in supporting redundant workers prompts a welcome debate, the CTU said today. “Working people have borne the brunt of the changing nature of work – not only through increasingly insecure jobs which are often low paid, but also, as… Read more »
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“The Budget Responsibility Rules announced by Labour and the Greens today demonstrates a commitment to maintaining much needed government spending. But more investment is needed,” said CTU President, Richard Wagstaff. “We need a government that has the vision to provide decent health, education, housing and other public services for all Kiwis so everyone gets a good start in life. This… Read more »
Read more... Today’s report from the Productivity Commission – New models of tertiary education clearly outlines that the changes the National-led government have made to tertiary education have done more harm than good. CTU Secretary Sam Huggard is concerned. “Beneath the rhetoric of student choice the report is an agenda for more profit driven providers in the tertiary… Read more »
Read more... “The weak growth in economic activity, coupled with more people not in work, in the three months to December, have a significantly negative impact on the incomes of working people,” says CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg. “The growth in spending by households in real terms was also weak. We can see why some people say they… Read more »
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