Download a full copy of the speech: Richard Wagstaff’s CTU Conference Speech 2017
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CTU Welcomes New Minister of Workplace Relations
The Council of Trade Unions today welcomes Iain Lees-Galloway as incoming Minister of Workplace Relations, of Immigration, and of ACC. “Iain has an excellent grasp of workplace relations and its associated portfolios. There is a lot to be done to ensure economic growth delivers real benefits for working people, and that we improve the way… Read more »
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Te Takawaenga relationship accord signed at union conference
A strengthened relationship between the national representatives of Māori workers and the trade union movement has been marked in Wellington today. Leadership of the trade union movement have this morning signed Te Takawaenga relationship accord at the Biennial Conference of the Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, which got underway at the Michael Fowler… Read more »
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Labour-Green agreement brings Just Transition confidence and supplies Equal Pay
“The Labour-Green confidence and supply agreement gives both to working people,” says CTU Secretary Sam Huggard. “It brings real confidence to working people that the transition to a net zero emissions economy can be achieved and achieved justly with their working interests in mind. “It also supplies the muscle to the equal pay process –… Read more »
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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 Coalition Government putting people first and it is a really good first step on the path to a fairer Aotearoa”. The Government has committed to a minimum wage of $20. Recent… Read more »
Read more... Working people back “A New Trade Agenda for the 21st Century”
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU), speaking on behalf of working New Zealanders, is putting its weight behind efforts to oppose resurrecting the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). “This week It’s Our Future, the movement advocating for people-focused trade policy, is launching its ten bottom lines for New Zealand’s future trade policy. We’re proud to support… Read more »
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Addressing inequality the greatest test of governments
Key announcements from Labour and the Green Party in the last week deliver the foundations of a strong alternative government in waiting which would make New Zealand a more equal place, the CTU said today. “Our economy is completely out of balance. Too many families are struggling to pay the bills. The greatest test of… Read more »
Read more... Government responds to increasing health needs with spin
“The Government’s media spin on the Health budget is hiding some inconvenient truths about what’s happening with our public health services,” says Council of Trade Unions economist Bill Rosenberg. A post-Budget analysis of government health expenditure prepared by the CTU and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), released today, shows a continuing trend of… Read more »
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So-called Budget mental health funding boost is a cut in real terms
The Government’s big Budget promises of additional mental health funding are nothing more than a cruel deception on people already struggling to get the help they need, says the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). The two organisations have looked more closely at the Government’s so-called $224 million… Read more »
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A socially unbalanced Budget
The Budget last week was, as expected, an election year Budget. Many low and middle income families will welcome the relief of some extra money in their pockets. But much more could have gone to them rather than to high income earners, and there would have been funding left over to address problems like the… Read more »
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