Posts Tagged ‘CTU’

Why can’t National answer straight forward questions about the Council of Trade Union’s critique of their tax policy?

Written By: - Date published: 10:38 am, October 5th, 2023 - 40 comments

National’s tax policy doesn’t add up, and they’re trashing election and media conventions to avoid accountability. UPDATED.

Social insurance, a premium not afforded to all.

Written By: - Date published: 12:02 pm, June 20th, 2021 - 59 comments

One of the details announced in the budget was funding to explore a ‘social unemployment insurance’ scheme. This scheme has been pushed by the Council of Trade Unions and Business NZ, which will work with the Government in a newly set-up Tripartite Working Party. When we dig into it though, we realise it is no safety net. It’s a parachute that slows our drop, giving us time, before we hit that real net – down so far below. 

Trade Unionism: Does it have a future

Written By: - Date published: 10:36 pm, July 27th, 2020 - 19 comments

There is no blueprint for building a stronger more effective trade union movement. There are many, who each and every day wake up and do exactly that.

Union peak bodies: a beacon of hope for all workers

Written By: - Date published: 11:02 pm, July 11th, 2020 - 21 comments

My view is that neither big nor small unions function particularly well in the modern-day workforce. There are many notable exceptions to this where both do very good work. But few have found the balance of good local support for members, tackling national and international issues and crucially not wasting considerable time and resource fighting another rival union encroaching on their patch.

Remembering Chris Morley

Written By: - Date published: 3:21 am, August 27th, 2018 - 7 comments

On Friday 27 July 2018, Wellington Tramways Union Vice President Chris Morley passed away after a short battle with Cancer, aged 62. Chris had been a Wellington bus driver since 1978, when public transport in the city was run and controlled by Wellington City Council. In 2008 I was privileged to be elected to the Tramways Union […]

Is it OK to bring a hand grenade to a business meeting?

Written By: - Date published: 8:15 am, June 11th, 2018 - 15 comments

Darien Fenton writes about Business New Zealand’s early approach to the Fair Pay panel.

CTU President: All the way for equal pay

Written By: - Date published: 10:01 am, August 12th, 2017 - 29 comments

CTU President Richard Wagstaff writes on today’s actions about his opposition to the government attempt to dismember the historic decision in the Court of Appeal for pay equity by Kristine Bartlett and E tū. National has distorted the recommendations of the Joint Working Group to restrict or even eliminate equal pay for equal work.

Richard Wagstaff: “Things need to change”

Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, August 16th, 2016 - 20 comments

The inaugural CTU organisers’ conference is being held in Auckland this week, bringing together organisers from across the CTU affiliated unions to discuss the future of the movement. CTU President Richard Wagstaff opened the conference this morning. E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou koutoa. Welcome […]

Family or Shopping?

Written By: - Date published: 1:38 pm, May 31st, 2016 - 50 comments

The union movement is petitioning Peter Dunne and Te Ururoa Flavell to put families ahead of shopping and vote to protect Easter Sunday. You can click here to join them.

Budget 2016 – the real deal

Written By: - Date published: 3:42 pm, May 22nd, 2016 - 11 comments

Each budget day the CTU produces an analysis based on what it means for working New Zealanders.

You can register for your copy here.

Go well Helen Kelly

Written By: - Date published: 10:29 am, October 8th, 2015 - 60 comments

Helen is standing down from her role as President of the CTU due to health reasons, but will remain active supporting union causes.

National Ltd™ Enabling Corporate Murderers

Written By: - Date published: 7:17 am, August 14th, 2015 - 12 comments

But wait there’s more . . . National Ltd™’s attitude to worker safety has, it seems, been successfully installed into the very government agency responsible for holding employers to account for worker deaths.

# Talleyban

Written By: - Date published: 5:50 pm, August 4th, 2015 - 47 comments

Talleys have fired the first shots in National’s new class war. You can stand with the AFFCO workers and reject the Tories new anti-union law. Boycott Talleys. Make a stand for your fellow Kiwis.

Why did this take a private prosecution?

Written By: - Date published: 9:54 am, August 4th, 2015 - 15 comments

The CTU win in a private prosecution over a forestry worker’s death. Where was WorkSafe?

We can do better on health and safety

Written By: - Date published: 9:53 am, July 30th, 2015 - 8 comments

Labour is proposing a set of amendments to fix the Health and Safety Reform Bill. They need the support of Peter Dunne and the Māori Party. Will they do the right thing?

Health and Safety

Written By: - Date published: 2:20 pm, July 24th, 2015 - 2 comments

The CTU’s excellent campaign to get a stronger version of National’s post-Pike River Health and Safety law has produced this excellent video, and you can sign to support Iain Lees-Galloway’s amendments to improve the bill.

The right to strike

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, February 17th, 2015 - 54 comments

Celebrate International Right to Strike Day on 18 February by sending a message to Kiwi employers: stop undermining our right to strike!

CTU: Labour’s financial plan will make life fairer for working Kiwis

Written By: - Date published: 12:56 pm, June 25th, 2014 - 8 comments

Labour’s Fiscal Plan shows a clear and positive difference from National. Those who earn over over 150,000 will pay more tax and applying tax to trusts to combat tax avoidance, are welcome steps to reducing inequality and the unfairness of the tax system.  It’s a relief to see more effort in stopping the billions of dollars of tax evasion. Labour’s commitment to funding the real costs of Health and Education, taking account of rising costs and the changing population, forces National to front up and say what it is going to do to prevent our public services from deteriorating further.

Workers Denied Access to Information

Written By: - Date published: 11:10 am, January 25th, 2014 - 29 comments

The  NZ Logger magazine has published attack after attack on us since about August of last year.  You have to read them to believe them.  Industry players and Editorials suggesting we are the problem in forestry safety!  One even suggested UNIONS were exploiting workers in the industry through our safety campaign. I contacted the Editor to ask for a right of reply.  It was written with minor changes and expected to appear this month. Now they won’t run it…. Have a look at it yourself.

From “Cost-based to Value-based”

Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, October 10th, 2013 - 8 comments

Cunliffe’s CTU speech is significant, rousing and inspiring, laying out a shift “from a cost-based to a value-based” strategy- for an inclusive society and one that provides a good life for “all” Kiwis, with opportunities for all. Video of the speech is a must see. And social security? [Update: Gordon Campbell] & Turei’s speech

Insecure work in NZ’s precariat

Written By: - Date published: 8:48 am, October 9th, 2013 - 108 comments

A recent study gives a strong indication of the extent of, and the recent increases in, insecure work in NZ.  It is being released at the CTU conference today, along with the launch of  a campaign to improve worker security. [Update: Cunliffe to CTU on Labour pledges]

When fear tactics backfire 2 – and GCSB roundup

Written By: - Date published: 8:20 am, August 21st, 2013 - 46 comments

John Key (the PM who has on multiple occasions overspent the budget on his own protection staff) really dug himself a hole when he accused opposition leaders of wanting to “run for the hills” in case of a terrorist attack. Not only did David Shearer get to remind him of the occasions that he has been under fire – and run to help – but now some other voices have chimed in too.

Workers’ rights under attack

Written By: - Date published: 9:55 am, June 14th, 2013 - 85 comments

Key’s government is continuing its attack on workers’ rights, pay, conditions & collective bargaining with  Jami-Lee Ross’s ‘Strike Breaking’ Bill.    Darien Fenton, the CTU & EPMU say why it is wrong.  All parties and MPs should oppose this and other proposed changes to employment law.

The buck stops with the directors: Pike River

Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, April 19th, 2013 - 9 comments

Pike River found guilty of breaches of health and safety, leading to the death of of 29 miners. The CTU is calling for law changes to make company directors responsible for their company’s negligence. And the NZ MSM coverage of the catastrophe immediately after it happened?

Being fired for union membership is disgraceful

Written By: - Date published: 3:37 pm, December 10th, 2012 - 205 comments

CTU press release in response to story of Todd Rippon being dismissed from his job for being a union member.

AFFCO appeal

Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, May 11th, 2012 - 18 comments

The CTU have launched an appeal for donations towards the food and essential bills of AFFCO workers.
Please Donate to NZCTU DISPUTES FUND, 38 9007 0894028 08. Money will go direct to workers.

CTU research on minimum wage

Written By: - Date published: 10:28 am, May 25th, 2011 - 24 comments

The response to two recent posts here at The Standard have shown what a contentious topic the minimum wage is.  So it’s timely that yesterday saw the release of the CTU’s summary of research on Minimum Wage and Jobs.

Things Just Got Tougher

Written By: - Date published: 2:05 pm, April 1st, 2011 - 118 comments

The CTU is launching a new campaign today as part of their ongoing Fairness At Work. Things Just Got Tougher is about the new employment laws that start today, April 1.

The productivity lie

Written By: - Date published: 10:29 am, February 8th, 2011 - 24 comments

The Nats have upped the minimum wage by 25 cents.  An increase of 1.9% that doesn’t even keep up with inflation of 4% and is thus a minimum wage cut.  On cue a tame economist opines that wage growth can only happen if we achieve productivity growth first.  The only problem with this excuse is that over the last several decades productivity has grown significantly, and wages haven’t followed…

Job survivor island

Written By: - Date published: 11:11 am, January 13th, 2011 - 35 comments

The CTU have launched the latest of their quirky and cute campaigns. Job Survivor Island illustrates the effects on real people of the boss being able to sack you without cause while you are denied legal redress. 1 in 5 workers are sacked under fire at will. Don’t become one of them, resist fire at […]

October 20th, day of action for work rights

Written By: - Date published: 6:45 am, October 19th, 2010 - 12 comments

Unemployment is up, wages are down. But the Nats want to put the boot into workers to keep costs down for their rich mates. They’re trying to take away workers’ rights, remove protections, cut pay, reduce holidays and diminish access to sick leave. Tomorrow is the national day of action when we fight back.