Category: Council Of Trade Unions

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It’s time for Beehive women to get real on pay equity

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is issuing a challenge to women in government to stand with working women on International Women’s Day by pushing policies to reduce the gender pay gap.

“We are calling on the women who work in the Beehive to show some solidarity with working women by getting real on pay equity,” said Ansell-Bridges.

“International Working Women’s Day, which has its roots in the labour movement, has been celebrated for well over a century. This day is an opportunity to take stock of all the progress that we’ve made towards gender equality.

“There is still so much to do. We’re currently on a trajectory that will mean we still have a gender pay gap in 2055, despite all the work that unions and workers in female dominated industries have been doing to settle pay equity claims.

“Currently we have a gender pay gap of 8.9% on average. This is much higher for wāhine Māori (16.2%) and Pasifika women (21.2%). Women cannot afford to keep on waiting to be paid fairly.

“Rather than working to close the pay gap, this Government has put the brakes on pay equity by closing the Pay Equity Taskforce and making it significantly harder to fund settlements.

“The Government needs to show they value the work of women in Aotearoa by getting behind pay equity,” said Ansell-Bridges.

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Citizen’s arrest powers will put workers in harm’s way

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The Government’s announcement to change citizen’s arrest powers shows workers will bear the brunt of their lack of a plan to deal with retail crime, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

“If the proposed changes to citizen’s arrests laws are any indication of what is to come, there will be serious implications for worker safety and employment rights in pursuit of minor savings for retailers,” said Wagstaff.

“Setting the expectation that workers on the shopfloor will be required to prevent shoplifting and retail crime will only increase the risk of violence and undermines workers’ right to a safe and healthy workplace.

“Good employers don’t put workers’ lives at risk to save a few dollars.

“We should be focusing on ways of work that remove hazards from the workplace, not create them. Employers must work with employees on creating safe workplaces, and what the business will do to achieve that.

“There are serious employment and criminal law concerns for workers and the public by putting workers in harm’s way to save their boss a few bucks. Crimefighting is not within the scope of retail workers’ employment duties.

“Workers in Aotearoa New Zealand have the legal right to a safe and healthy workplace. They also have the legal right to stop or say no to any work if they believe that doing the work would expose them, or anyone else, to a serious health or safety risk,” said Wagstaff.  

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Action needed now, as child poverty grows

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data released today by Statistics New Zealand showed the urgent problem facing Aotearoa New Zealand in tackling child poverty, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“Child poverty is estimated by Stats NZ on three measures – before housing costs, after housing costs, and material poverty. All three central estimates of poverty rose last year. This is the second year in a row in which the trend is heading in the wrong direction. We need action now to turn this trend around,” said Renney.

“1 in 7 children are estimated to be living in households where they experience material poverty – that means 156,000 kids are missing out on essentials and living in cold and damp housing. That is the highest number since 2015.

“Child poverty is a prison that holds too many children in Aotearoa back. Unless we tackle this problem now, we will be paying the social costs over generations.

“Child poverty is not distributed equally. 1 in 4 tamariki Māori live in material poverty. 1 in 3 Pacific children live in material poverty. Where a household has a disabled person, 1 in 4 children in those households are in material poverty. For all these groups the number of children in material poverty has grown over the past two years.

“The Government is now missing all three of its child poverty targets. The Government’s key response to child poverty has been to water down the targets, reduce the value of welfare support, and cut the real value of the minimum wage.

“There is no plan to help these families living in poverty, instead they are being threatened with further sanctions and penalties.

“The Government is urgently talking up the need for an economic plan, but it doesn’t seem as if it shares the same sense of urgency for child poverty. Children deserve better than this Government’s indifference,” said Renney.

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NZCTU welcomes passage of wage theft bill

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

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 the Crimes Act 1961 to clarify that not paying an employee their wages is theft, will now head to Third Reading.

“We are thrilled that this Bill is making its way through the House and looks set to become law,” said Wagstaff.
 
“Theft is theft. It’s past time that the legal system recognises that ‘theft by employer’ is every bit as serious and criminal as any other type of theft.
 
“Currently, workers who suffer theft of their wages or minimum entitlements only have civil remedies available to them. Workers must spend their own money to argue their case in the court or the Authority, a cost that is too high for many. Too often cases of ‘theft by employer’ go unpunished and unresolved.
 
“We acknowledge Camilla Belich and Ibrahim Omer for their leadership on this issue and thank all political parties who have supported it.
 
“At a time when the workers’ rights in Aotearoa are under attack, we welcome this win for working people,” said Wagstaff.

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OJI needs to work with government and unions before closure

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

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 today announced 230 job losses in what will be a devastating blow for the community. OJI needs to work with all partners to make sure that we get the best outcome on the site,” said Wagstaff.

“At the meeting this morning, OJI officials disclosed that they were in negotiation with the Government about support for the Kinleith site. This support would be an investment in the pulp production side. It is essential that this investment comes with guarantees from OJI that as much employment is maintained on site as possible.

 “Given the offer from the Minister, and the potential impact on the supply chain if alternative suppliers of paper are not found, OJI should reconsider their decision today to terminate employees.

“OJI must get round the table with all parties and find a solution that keeps as much employment on the site as possible. OJI Kinleith products are a vital part of the supply chain for our dairy and fruit exports.

 “There is an opportunity here for a better outcome at Kinleith. One that would deliver more jobs, and brighter economic development for the region. We need to make that happen for the benefit of workers, the community and the regional manufacturing sector,” said Wagstaff.

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Brooke van Velden completely undermines personal grievance system

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

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 her own officials to pursue reckless changes that would completely undermine the personal grievance system.

“Brooke van Velden’s changes will prevent workers from getting justice and compensation when they are fired without a good reason or mistreated at work,” said Wagstaff.
 
“There should be a level playing field between workers and their bosses, but the scales are already weighted against working people. The Minister is planning to make that situation much worse.
 
“Employers are being encouraged to disregard procedural fairness and natural justice. The changes will remove the ability of workers to receive compensation on the grounds of humiliation, loss of dignity and injured feelings if it can be proved a worker has contributed to the situation in some way. Employers will go on fishing expeditions, trawling for any tiny errors a worker has made in their job or their application for justice.
 
“It is absurd that under these changes, financial remedies for workers would be reduced by up to 100%. Workers who win their case may end up receiving nothing.
 
“Van Velden is ignoring her own officials who have said there is little evidence to back up these changes, that they would “significantly impede access to justice”. Officials also noted that  there will be a disproportionate impact on low-income workers. She has also blocked them from undertaking a proper review of the system.
 
“Unions, workers, and the community must come together and fight back against Brooke van Velden’s radical workplace relations agenda. We will not accept her repeated attempts to dismantle workers’ rights in this country,” said Wagstaff.

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Unemployment climbs above 5%

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 out 12 regions. 2.5m fewer hours were worked last year. There is a real and growing problem in the labour market.”

This data should be a wakeup call to the Government about the economy. Renney said “Unemployment is a lagging indicator and is forecast to continue to keep increasing. Nothing in this data suggests that these forecasts are going to change. The number of people who want more work and can’t get it is at its highest rate since COVID.

“Ahead of Waitangi Day, we should note that unemployment for Māori is nearly twice the rate of the general population at 9.2%. 5,700 more Māori are out of work than last year. Pacific Peoples unemployment is 9.6%, and unemployment for young people (15-24 year olds) is up 13,800 annually. The NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) rate was last this high, on a comparable basis, in 2012 according to Stats NZ.” Renney said.

“Wage increases are slowing, with nearly half (46%) of working people getting a pay rise less than CPI. With the minimum wage rising by only 1.5% in April, this is another trend likely to continue. With part-time work growing, but full-time work declining, maintaining incomes in households is going to be increasingly difficult.

“Right now, there is no plan for the economy. No plan for the labour market. The economy is in sharp recession. Unemployment is rising. It’s time for a plan for New Zealand. We are losing record numbers of people overseas, and without that these numbers would likely have been much worse,” said Renney.

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“Something is very wrong in our society and economy” – NZCTU Workforce Survey shows people fear for future

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Insecurity in work, housing, and health among working people has emerged as the key finding from the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi’s 2025 annual Mood of the Workforce survey.

NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff says the survey, which polled more than 1900 people, shows immense concern that the Government is taking Aotearoa New Zealand in the wrong direction.

“We’ve been running this survey since 2019, and I have never seen such a negative response. People are in fear for their jobs and their businesses, their ability to keep their homes, and for their health,” said Wagstaff.

“They also don’t trust this Government to make it better because they are feeling firsthand the damage that’s been done with austerity policies that are only benefiting an already privileged few.

“The message that the Government has no interest in helping working people, who are the majority of New Zealanders, is coming through strongly in people’s comments on the tax system, the health system, and their work.

“People are sharing stories of losing their jobs or struggling to cover the work of colleagues who have already lost their jobs. These are heartbreaking to hear. But so are the stories of families being broken up as people’s kids leave the country to find better job prospects, or of parents having to act as a safety net for their adult children. These children have been hit hardest by the recent downturns, and an unfair and unforgiving housing market.

“A consistent theme is an overwhelming sense that something is very wrong, both in our society and with the economy.

“We’ve seen that at a statistical level in things like the recent Curia polling which showed people feel we are on the wrong track as a nation, but the results from our workforce survey give a close up and troubling picture of what that means in people’s lives.

“My great concern is that rather than admit that their policy direction is hurting people and damaging our economy, the Government is doubling down on it in their recent announcements.

“Whether that’s because of the Government’s arrogance or because they live in a bubble of privilege and don’t understand the damage they are doing is immaterial. People want a change of direction and to see things done a different and better way.

“Any politician or political party that ignores working people and their communities does so at their peril,” said Wagstaff.

View the results

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Luxon’s speech an exercise in smoke and mirrors

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The Prime Minister’s State of the Nation speech is an exercise in smoke and mirrors which deflects from the reality that he has overseen the worst economic growth in 30 years, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

“Luxon wants to “go for growth” but since he and Nicola Willis took power, unemployment has skyrocketed, growth has plummeted, and record numbers of New Zealanders are heading overseas. They have overseen the worst record on economic growth since 1991,” said Wagstaff.
 
“It beggars’ belief to hear the Prime Minister talk up the need for investment in science and innovation, when over the last year his Government has cut research funding and axed more than 500 jobs in the public science sector. The new policies to merge Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) and “commercialise science” miss the point. The focus should be on increasing investment in science and properly funding CRIs and universities, not mergers, cuts, and slogans.
 
“Aotearoa New Zealand is only spending about half the OECD average on science and research and development (R&D). That needs to change, and yet we heard nothing today about increased funding for science and research.

“We are also alarmed at the Prime Minister’s signal that workplace health and safety is a cost rather than an investment in workers’ lives. Safe workplaces are prdocutive workplaces.
 
“The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance continue to demonstrate how out of touch they are with working people by failing to recognise the economic hardship that people are living through as a result of their heartless choices and their lack of an economic plan or industrial strategy.
 
“Working people in New Zealand are now experiencing extraordinary economic insecurity, from job losses and stagnating wages to housing insecurity and rising costs.
 
“At a time when people were crying out for economic investment and support through the cost-of-living crisis, the Government slashed and burned public services and infrastructure while making decisions that have increased costs, such as bringing back prescription fees, increasing public transport fees, indexing benefit increases to inflation rather than wage growth, and cutting the minimum wage in real terms for two consecutive years.
  
“The Government likes to talk about the need to tackle our poor productivity performance, and the need for a longer-term plan to arrest our decline, but their actions continue to take us in the opposite direction. We need an industry plan to create good high wage jobs in highly productive and low emissions industries.
 
“For too long politicians have failed to tackle the generational crises that confront us, from inequality to climate change, and the future of work. It’s past time that politicians recognise the need to do things differently and build an economy that works for everyone,” said Wagstaff.

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Working people will pay for static inflation

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed that inflation remains unchanged at 2.2%, defying expectations of further declines, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“While inflation holding steady might sound like good news, the reality is that prices for the basics—like rent, energy, and insurance—are still rising. The removal of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax helped ease petrol prices, but without that reduction, inflation could have gone even higher. Workers and families are still struggling with rising costs for everyday essentials,” said Renney.

“The recent drops in inflation have been helped by falls in the price of vehicle fuels – with the average price of 91 falling from $2.81 to $2.55. If we remove petrol from the CPI the overall inflation rose by 2.7%.

“Tradable inflation overall also turned, falling by less than last quarter. Tradeable inflation tends to lead the overall direction of inflation in the future”. 

 “Many working people aren’t feeling the benefits of lower inflation. Rental inflation was nearly twice general inflation at 4.2%, showing that landlord tax breaks aren’t leading to lower rental prices. 

 “While stable overall inflation is welcome, the prices for things that people can’t avoid are rising more quickly. Insurance prices rose by 11.2% annually. Local authority rates rose 12%. Household energy costs are rising by 5%. These are all eating into already tight household budgets.

 “Last month the government agreed to increase the minimum wage by 1.5% in April. Inflation is currently at 2.2% and seems to have reached its floor. For workers on the minimum wage this looks increasingly like another year in which they will take real terms pay cuts. The Government needs to respond to this data by lifting the minimum wage in real terms,” said Renney.