workers’ rights
Categories under workers’ rights
- health and safety (156)
- unemployment (251)
- Unions (427)
- wages (502)
When immigration means exploitation
Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, June 15th, 2017 - 37 comments
Those arguing for unrestricted immigration are – wittingly or unwittingly – fueling higher levels of exploitation in NZ.
Fabian seminar tonight: What would a people’s Budget look like?
Written By: - Date published: 12:23 pm, June 14th, 2017 - 5 comments
Something to check out if you are in Auckland tonight, the CTU’s Bill Rosenberg discusses the budget. He will “examine the Government’s priorities and look at what needs to be done”.
English on our low wage growth
Written By: - Date published: 9:38 am, May 30th, 2017 - 40 comments
Bill English knows that our low wage economy is a ticking time-bomb for the government. He must be starting to get worried. The repeated promises of jam tomorrow are well worn out now.
Government was advised the Accommodation Supplement increase will not work
Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, May 29th, 2017 - 70 comments
Radio New Zealand has reported that the Government ignored two year old treasury advice to implement the increase in the accommodation supplement.
Tipping vs fair wages
Written By: - Date published: 9:46 am, May 24th, 2017 - 39 comments
I don’t know of a single piece written in support of Bennett’s proposal. She has been in the bubble too long, and lost touch with the values of NZ.
Nats deny women pay equity transparency
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, May 11th, 2017 - 44 comments
As usual National proves itself to be no friend of women. They have voted the Equal Pay Amendment Bill down because they will always choose employers over people.
The case for higher wages
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, April 26th, 2017 - 31 comments
In the warm afterglow of the huge wage increase for health care workers the case for addressing NZ’s creaking low-wage economy is getting some recognition (along with the effect of immigration on wages).
Restaurant Brand Workers strike
Written By: - Date published: 5:54 pm, April 21st, 2017 - 34 comments
Restaurant Brands, the company that made $26 million last year and paid its chief executive a bonus of $1 million but cannot afford to pay its workers any more than the minimum wage, is facing industrial action tomorrow.
National’s short lived status as a supporter of pay equity
Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, April 21st, 2017 - 25 comments
The day after Kristine Bartlett’s and the SFWU’s well deserved pay equity victory the Government has released for consultation draft legislation the effect of which would be to stop similar victories occurring in the future.
Missing voices
Written By: - Date published: 11:24 am, April 20th, 2017 - 39 comments
Former Trump supporter speaks Her Truth
Why National had to settle the Pay Equity case
Written By: - Date published: 10:19 am, April 19th, 2017 - 45 comments
National is trying to give the impression that it settled the pay equity case out of the goodness of its heart. The reality is that the Unions forced it to settle through gritted teeth.
Thank you health care workers
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 am, April 18th, 2017 - 30 comments
This is a huge victory for health care workers, and for women. It is also a huge victory for “resurgent unions”. Will it alarm the private sector? I certainly hope so!
(Kristine Bartlett, photo Herald Mark Mitchell)
Canada
Written By: - Date published: 3:18 pm, April 14th, 2017 - 20 comments
Every once in a while, an administration that doesn’t check it’s collective brain out at the door assumes office. That may be the case with Canada’s current government.
Dear Izzy
Written By: - Date published: 9:12 am, March 15th, 2017 - 27 comments
Married couple, increase after tax $8.36 a fortnight each or $4.18 each a week!!!!! Disposable Income, 0.5971428 each a day !!!! Goes up on April 1st, how the hell did they arrive at this sum?
I find out.
2040? The robots will have taken over
Written By: - Date published: 8:59 am, March 8th, 2017 - 53 comments
Bill English’s new super plan falls between 2 stools. The super cost crisis that he’s trying to summon up, is before 2040 if it exists. The solution was the Cullen Fund. By 2040 you’re just adding yet another Baby Boomer cost onto GenX and the millenials, and there’s going to be a shortage of jobs anyway, without adding 65 & 66 year-olds to our dole queues.
The gender pay gap – grandstanding but no action
Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, March 8th, 2017 - 73 comments
A new report has some really interesting findings on the gender pay gap. Paula Bennett engaged in a bit of grandstanding, but it rings completely hollow given National’s history on the issue.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Social investment meets the surveillance state
Written By: - Date published: 11:14 pm, March 4th, 2017 - 47 comments
First they came for the budgeting services. Now we know that every social service agency has to provide clients’ private personal data to the Ministry of Social Development or get no funding. Apparently it’s essential to Bill English’s much-touted and little understood “social investment” strategy, which is sounding more like something out of Orwell’s 1984. […]
Pike River facts laid out
Written By: - Date published: 11:27 am, February 26th, 2017 - 10 comments
An excellent piece by Pike River mum, Sonya Rockhouse, in today’s Sunday Star-Times. The full article is here, but here are some of the most important points…
Living wage rises to $20.20 an hour
Written By: - Date published: 9:34 am, February 21st, 2017 - 30 comments
The living wage rises, and an odd argument for abolishing the minimum wage.
Cadburys Dunedin to close with hundreds of jobs lost
Written By: - Date published: 10:49 am, February 16th, 2017 - 121 comments
Another blow to Dunedin.
Is this the impossibility turning point?
Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, February 14th, 2017 - 49 comments
There’s a wonderful fiction still propelling the world that the 21st century will bring an ever-expanding arc of freedom and prosperity to the vast majority of humanity but the reality seems to be anything but.
Greg O’Connor selected for Ōhāriu
Written By: - Date published: 5:52 pm, February 12th, 2017 - 150 comments
The former Police Association president has been confirmed as a Labour’s candidate for Wellington’s Ōhāriu electorate.
29 lives lost. No justice for their families.
Written By: - Date published: 1:51 pm, February 8th, 2017 - 13 comments
Solid Energy trucks have refused to cross the picket line at Pike River this morning after the families set up effigies of their dead men.
Willie on the unions
Written By: - Date published: 7:05 pm, February 6th, 2017 - 201 comments
“Matt McCarten is one to watch. He’s developing his union. I don’t have much time for [the established unions]. I hope my mate Matt destroys them.” – 2005 – link
Minimum wage increase doesn’t meet real costs (the CPI is broken)
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, January 25th, 2017 - 53 comments
Any increase in the minimum wage is better than nothing, but National’s increases have not kept pace with the real cost increases (notably housing) faced by low income earners. That is why we are seeing the rise of the working poor, and increases in homelessness and poverty.
Andrew Little: Together, we will fight for justice for Pike families
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, January 21st, 2017 - 105 comments
I want justice for the families of the worst workplace tragedy in decades. If New Zealanders choose to change the Government this year, Pike will be a priority in my first hundred days as Prime Minister.
The St Johns Industrial Dispute – #HealthyAmbosSaveLives
Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, January 7th, 2017 - 51 comments
St Johns is one of the first organisations to use new Industrial powers brought in by the Government and is attempting to refuse to negotiate with First Union and is docking workers pay for wearing a campaign t-shirt.
New Zealander of the year
Written By: - Date published: 9:26 am, January 1st, 2017 - 42 comments
The Herald has managed to overlook choosing Helen Kelly as its New Zealander of the year.
Expert report shows urgent need for Pike River re-entry discussions
Written By: - Date published: 3:47 pm, December 13th, 2016 - 48 comments
The Pike River families have presented expert reports at Parliament today to establish the mine is safe to re-enter.
Stand With Pike: You shall not pass
Written By: - Date published: 9:24 pm, December 11th, 2016 - 86 comments
Newshub has revealed the attempt to seal Pike River mine is now facing both legal, and physical, roadblocks.
“They’re about to pour concrete on my son’s grave” – Campbell on #StandWithPike
Written By: - Date published: 7:42 pm, December 2nd, 2016 - 39 comments
Heartbreaking stories from the picket line down at the West Coast.
- The many mysteries of A Remarkable Place to Die
Tara Ward watches TVNZ’s sleek and scenic new murder-mystery series. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s a beautiful day in Central Otago for a car to plummet off a cliff. Somewhere deep inside Skipper’s Canyon, a car leaves the road and ...1 week ago - The Spinoff guide to life: How to be a good camper
Summer’s coming. It’s time to brush the dried grass out of your tent, and more importantly, brush up on your campsite manners. Ah, the joys of sleeping in a nylon dome. No ventilation, no insulation and no soundproofing. That little rock that wiggles its way through your long sponge masquerading ...1 week ago
- A survival guide for holidaying with your horrible children
Travelling with kids can test even the most patient of parents, but go in armed with these tried-and-true tips and you might just come out of it unscathed. When you become a parent, all manner of pleasant activities you once took for granted become distant memories: weekend sleep-ins, leisurely cafe brunches, ...1 week ago
- Stage set for Treaty Principles Bill showdown
The controversial proposed legislation has been introduced to parliament just a week out from its first reading, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day five: The long train to Auckland
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the longest single trip on his journey. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by ...1 week ago
- Elemeno P just released a song for the first time in 13 years – but is it real?
On Wednesday, kiwi legends Elemeno P dropped a new song. ‘Shiver’ either marks a huge change in direction, unfettered use of AI, copyright infringement or an upload error. Gabi Lardies investigates. “Woah this build up is crazy.” I’m watching my colleague listen to a song I’ve been replaying all morning. ...1 week ago
- What’s up with the curious resurrection of a beloved Wellington bookstore?
Vic Books closed down in January 2023, but its website and Twitter handle have risen from the dead. What’s going on? On October 10 this year, the dormant Vic Books Twitter handle rose like Lazarus with the following message: “Vic Books will be returning soon – your beloved bookstore now ...1 week ago
- Last living member of the 28th Māori Battalion, Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Nairn Gillies, dies
Sir Robert ‘Bom’ Nairn Gillies has passed away at 99 years old. He was the last surviving member of the 28th Māori Battalion, the most-decorated New Zealand battalion from World War II. Bom Gillies (Te Arawa – Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Kahungunu) was known for his humility, strength, and his deep ...2 weeks ago
- Interim Financial Statements Of The Government Of New Zealand For The Three Months Ended 30 Septembe...
The September results are reported against forecasts based on the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (BEFU 2024), published on 30 May 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year. ...2 weeks ago - Commission Report Released On Domestic Contribution To The Second Nationally Determined Contribution
Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts today released the Commission’s report on the domestic emissions reductions that Aotearoa New Zealand could achieve as part of the country's second nationally determined contribution (NDC2). ...2 weeks ago
- Cleaners Left In Limbo After Contract Change At Auckland Transport Sites
After MMS lost its contract to provide cleaning services for Auckland Transport sites to City Cleaning, cleaners’ pay and conditions should have been transferred to the new contractor under Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act. ...2 weeks ago
- Social Housing Cutbacks Confirmed As Govt Axes Another 310 Kāinga Ora Workers
This makes a total of 551 roles lost since April 2024, or one in six workers across the country. A third of the workforce is in Auckland. ...2 weeks ago
- Local cult classic horror Black Sheep confirmed for a sequel
New Zealand’s scariest flock of sheep are back, baby. Rattle your dags, sharpen your shears and somebody check on Oliver Driver, because it has just been confirmed that a sequel for the local horror comedy Black Sheep will start production next year, nearly two decades after the original film ...2 weeks ago
- Have Your Say On The Oversight Of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill
The bill seeks to enhance oversight and monitoring of the Oranga Tamariki system by making structural changes to the Independent Children’s Monitor and the Children and Young People’s Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- The ultimate holiday reads: An alphabetical guide
An A to Z of iconic books matched with iconic holiday locations. Whether you’re an ultralight traveller armed with only a Kindle, or you’re a romantic who loves to schlepp your travel-worn paperbacks (lightly battered and eventually swapped with a stranger in a train station for their charmingly worn Dostoyevsky), ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day four: Cruisin’ on the Interislander
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...2 weeks ago
- Photo essay: Living and learning on a bus
The Rasmussens have lived on the road for over a decade. Documentary series Home Education joined the ‘road-schooling’ family in their house bus. Bridie Rasmussen’s seven kids learn through collaborative family based projects – about everything from geography, history and politics through designing their own ancient civilisation. Their resourceful mum ...2 weeks ago
- Has Simon Watts Forgotten Who The Minister Is?
Does he not realise that he is the Minister in charge of the people who perpetrated this travesty? The people who have been affected need to see action, instead of the Minister’s ‘disappointment’. ...2 weeks ago
- More Than 18,400 Kiwis Call On Select Committee To Front Up On MPs’ Expenses
“Why should MPs not be held to the same standards as Ministers? If you’re spending taxpayers’ money, the public need to see the receipts” said James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union. ...2 weeks ago
- My Greatest Trip: Eloping and Nessie hunting in Scotland
Alex Casey recounts a reverse honeymoon that ended with a secret wedding. It was a sighting almost as rare as Nessie herself. Steve Feltham, aka The Nessie Hunter, who has been parked up Loch-side looking for the mythical monster for the last three decades, cautiously peeked out of his iconic ...2 weeks ago
- Democrats left reeling as Trump claims decisive victory
Few could have predicted the size and scale of his success last night. This is an excerpt from The World Bulletin, our weekly global current affairs newsletter exclusively for Spinoff Members. Sign up here. A red wave It was around 8.30pm NZT when Donald Trump came out to address his ...2 weeks ago
- Introduction Of The Treaty Principles Bill
The existence and introduction of the Bill is extremely disappointing, has created angst amongst our people and further fuels the divisiveness created by Hon David Seymour and the Act Party. ...2 weeks ago
- Help Me Hera: My male flatmates keep asking me out and I hate it
My flatmate asked me out. I rejected him and he moved on, so why do I feel so annoyed? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, I live in a large, social flat which I absolutely love. Recently one of my flatmates, Alister, asked me out, and I had to ...2 weeks ago
- The morning after the night before: Trump returns to the White House
The 45th president will become the 47th, with Republicans winning the Senate and on track to control the House too, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s edition of The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day four: Joel finally gets to ride a train
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...2 weeks ago
- The right’s weird new obsession: Singapore
The rightwing enthusiasm for authoritarian Singapore illustrates the extent to which, on one crucial point at least, New Zealand’s hands-off approach to the economy has failed, argues Max Rashbrooke. In years gone by, New Zealand’s right-wingers had predictable heroes. They looked to tax-cutting, regulation-shredding leaders like Margaret Thatcher, and their ...2 weeks ago
- Live: Donald Trump claims victory on ‘the day the American people regained control’
It’s done. Trump is going back to the White House. ...2 weeks ago
- Treaty Principles Bill Is Deliberately Divisive
...2 weeks ago
- Parihaka: Remembering A Legacy Of Peaceful Resistance
This small papakāinga, now a powerful symbol of passive resistance, was the site of Aotearoa's first recorded non-violent stand against colonial violence and land confiscation. ...2 weeks ago
- Cook Islands Leader Insists New Passports Won’t Affect Ties With New Zealand
The Cook Islands leader says new passport proposal will not impact ties with Aotearoa, but a New Zealand Foreign Affairs spokesperson says it "would have implications". ...2 weeks ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill Is Advanced Without Us And In Spite Of Us
“The Bill is an attack on our rangatiratanga and the move to bring it forward is yet another tactic to distract us from the real issues facing New Zealanders. This Bill is being advanced without us and in spite of us. ...2 weeks ago
- Unemployment Rising Shows The Need For A Plan
Wages are also reflecting the softer labour market, with 37% of all workers seeing no pay rise, and 50% of workers seeing an annual pay rise less than the 3.8% increase in household costs reported yesterday. With the minimum wage rising by less than ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day three: Joel has made it to Christchurch
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...2 weeks ago
- ‘No idea I was in the presence of genius’: Sonya Wilson on her life in books
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Sonya Wilson, author and founder and executive director of Kiwi Christmas Books, which gifts books to families in need every Christmas. The book I wish I’d written I ...2 weeks ago
- The great Spinoff pet review of RNZ Concert’s Guy Fawkes programme
Pets of The Spinoff tuned in to RNZ Concert last night to catch its special programme for animals. Here’s what they thought. We deeply and unreservedly apologise for not having photos of all the pets. Molly (cat) Molly mostly just wanted her second dinner. She did go scratch on ...2 weeks ago
- Unemployment Rate At 4.8 Percent
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, as measured by the Household Labour Force Survey, was 4.8 percent in the September 2024 quarter, compared with 4.6 percent in the previous quarter. ...2 weeks ago
- IRD Have Lied To New Zealanders, Heads Must Roll
...2 weeks ago
- My Greatest Trip: My awkward high-school exchange to Germany
Hera Lindsay Bird on her Bildungsroman. I would never have gone to Germany if it wasn’t for the bee sting. At primary school, I belonged to an evil quartet of girls. It feels imprecise to call them friends. They were more like coworkers, in the great open-plan office of primary ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealanders in London are engaging in competitive ‘overtourism’. Can we redeem the classic OE...
Pressure to visit as many European destinations as possible is causing harm to local communities and the climate. Is there an alternative? If any feature of London showcases its scale of possibilities to a new arrival from Aotearoa, it’s the city’s six airports. Six. Each with their own trainline, Pret ...2 weeks ago
- Conflicts over conflicts: Why perception in politics matters
Tensions over tobacco regulations hit boiling point in parliament yesterday, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...2 weeks ago
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