The NZCTU recognises that workers’ rights are human rights and is committed to supporting working people in Aotearoa New Zealand in their fight for economic and social justice.
A major issue faced by working people is the inherent imbalance of power between workers and their employers, with employers having the upper hand. Unions are essential in enabling working people to stand up for their rights and ensuring that unions have the strength and resources to organise is a major challenge.
Our work in this area focuses on bringing about the creation of worker-friendly laws and policies through participating in tripartite discussions, making submissions to the government, and becoming involved in legal cases to highlight and improve workers’ interests.
Latest Employment Relations Info
- NZCTU welcomes passage of wage theft bill
The Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill passing committee stage in the House is a win for workers, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff. The Bill, which amends… Read More »NZCTU welcomes passage of wage theft bill - Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill
The NZCTU strongly supports the Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill. This Bill represents a positive step towards addressing serious issues around unlawful disparities in pay by protecting workers’… Read More »Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill - OJI needs to work with government and unions before closure
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff has called on OJI Fibre Solutions to work with the government, unions, and the community before closing the Kinleith Paper Mill. “OJI has… Read More »OJI needs to work with government and unions before closure - Brooke van Velden completely undermines personal grievance system
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is sounding the alarm about the latest attack on workers from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden, who is ignoring… Read More »Brooke van Velden completely undermines personal grievance system - Submission: Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill
The NZCTU strongly opposes the Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill (the Bill). It is a clumsily drafted and punitive piece of legislation aimed at taking industrial… Read More »Submission: Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill - Six years of work wasted – Holidays Act reform now years away
Brooke van Velden has wasted six years of work from businesses, unions, and government by binning planned Holidays Act reforms, said Acting CTU President Rachel Mackintosh in response to today’s… Read More »Six years of work wasted – Holidays Act reform now years away
Resources
NZCTU Definition of Good Work, June 2022
Good work is mahi that has a lasting positive impact on the worker, the employer, and the wider community. It is mahi that enhances the mana and dignity of workers, and where both employers and employees are treated with respect. The NZCTU’s definition can be used to help assess the extent to which good work is available in Aotearoa New Zealand and to develop policy to improve the quality of employment.
Policy Topics
