workers’ rights

Lying Bridges caught out

Written By: Zetetic - Date published: 8:51 am, June 25th, 2013 - 67 comments

Labour Minister Sim0n Bridges has been trying to justify the latest round of attacks on workers’ rights by saying the law currently requires workers to be union members for the first 30 days on a new job and that people ought to have choice. That’s a lie. The law Bridges wants to throw out says new workers can’t be paid less than union rates, not that you have to join the union.

Workrights on the Nation

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 10:28 am, June 23rd, 2013 - 121 comments

An interesting couple of interviews. Jamie-Lee Ross admits he took advice on strikebreaking from the Ports of Auckland Ltd, and Darien Fenton makes it clear what National are up to, and (note to Labour’s press team) shows why she should be fronting serious media more often.

The Blame Game.

Written By: KJT - Date published: 9:14 am, June 20th, 2013 - 84 comments

Blame beneficiaries, blame the young, blame the old, blame the boomers, blame Maori, blame Pakeha,  blame granny, hell, why don’t we just blame the Jews! Anything except place the blame where it belongs. On successive Governments who have sold us out to the rich, and offshore corporates. And the system which allows a few stupid […]

Bridges caught out by own bullshit

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 9:23 pm, June 18th, 2013 - 30 comments

Simon Bridges’ loose relationship with the truth has got him in trouble just a few weeks into his first big test as Minister of Labour. It started last week when he got caught off guard by an innocuous question from Darien Fenton…

All is not well in the VFX industry, Squires

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:57 am, June 18th, 2013 - 50 comments

Many praise Jackson and Weta for the work it brings to NZ. However, a recent US-focused survey by Scott Squires, shows how subsidies, like that for the Hobbit, plus lack of unionisation are contributing to increasing exploitation, income insecurity and competition among skilled VFX workers internationally. [Update: Squires’ response]

Nothing moderate about National’s employment changes

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 3:41 pm, June 11th, 2013 - 71 comments

There is nothing ‘moderate’ about pushing policy that increases the power of the powerful and reduces the power of those dependent on them for a living, says the EPMU’s Rachel Mackintosh.

National’s employment changes will drive wages down and increase insecurity and poverty in this country.

Hooton spouting nonsense

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:23 am, June 11th, 2013 - 179 comments

Matthew Hooton is spinning like mad to talk up the economy. Unfortunately his spin sometimes bends the truth beyond breaking point, and there were three examples of that yesterday.

War on Workers

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:01 pm, June 6th, 2013 - 35 comments

Labour MP Darien Fenton has posted this on Red Alert.

The National government’s divided society

Written By: karol - Date published: 7:56 am, June 2nd, 2013 - 14 comments

A Fairfax poll shows an NZ divided by income inequalities & political allegiances. Little unemployment for National voters & more for opposition voters: a precariat with a high proportion of Maori & Pacific people. The right time for Russel Norman’s speech and blockupy?

Shocking the people into submission

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:10 am, May 29th, 2013 - 24 comments

Last night The Shock Doctrine (2009) aired on Maori TV.  John Key, and his cheerleaders have followed their latest series of shock-inducing attacks on democratic processes and (low income) people’s rights, with positive forecasts for our future. Meanwhile, the gap between the haves & have-nots has grown.

First Living Wage Council

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 5:57 pm, May 21st, 2013 - 8 comments

Hamilton City looks like it’ll be the first Council to pay a Living Wage, as it fulfils its obligations as a good employer, following the likes of The Warehouse and Progressive Enterprises.

Budget: corporate “charity” not the solution to Feeding the Kids

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:21 am, May 15th, 2013 - 24 comments

Thursday’s budget is likely to make businesses central to blunting the edge of child poverty.  Campbell Live is concerned about the marginalisation of skilled community organisations.  Harawira has delayed the reading of his Feed the Kids Bill & argues for the state to play a stronger role.

The cost of our clothes

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:35 am, May 9th, 2013 - 23 comments

Big Western retailers provide us with relatively cheap clothing, through paying low wages in countries where industrial health and safety is poorly regulated. Last month a big garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing over 700 800 people. Ultimately we are all damaged by the profiteering of the elites.

Warehouse adopts living wage

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 7:34 am, May 8th, 2013 - 66 comments

The Warehouse has adopted a policy of paying a living wage of $18.50-$20 an hour for longer-term employees. It’s a really positive move and The Warehouse is to be congratulated. It’ll cost about $2.5m a year, or 5% of profits. As we’ve seen in the NZ Power debate, it’s a rare thing for major companies to look beyond their balancesheets to the community they exist within. Now, who’s next?