Category: Etu

Source: Etu Union

The release of a new report highlights that natural gas is not a viable solution for Aotearoa’s energy future, further underscoring the need for a well-planned Just Transition for workers and communities in Taranaki.

The report, released by 350 Aotearoa, Common Grace Aotearoa and the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR), argues that tightening gas supplies and declining production margins are increasingly shifting Methanex’s business model from methanol production to on-selling gas, at a significant mark-up.

E tū is concerned about the job insecurity facing its members at Methanex, Aotearoa’s largest natural gas consumer, and the broader impact on downstream workers in Taranaki’s engineering and construction sectors.

Jesse Davis, a tradesperson in the industry in Taranaki, says workers are feeling the pressure.

The uncertainty in the oil and gas industry is stressful for workers unsure about their future,” Jesse says.

“Many of us may have to leave Taranaki without work, but we want to stay, support our families, and help the region thrive. I want my children to have opportunities here, not be forced to leave due to a lack of jobs.

“Oil and gas have provided well-paying jobs, but when that ends, we don’t want Taranaki to decline. A Just Transition can keep Taranaki prosperous and vibrant. A clear plan would reduce workers’ stress and provide a path forward. New sustainable energy projects could let us use our skills locally and support our families.

The Government must urgently act on a Just Transition – it’s time for action, not words. A Just Transition needs long-term vision and commitment beyond short political cycles.”

E tū Assistant National Secretary, Annie Newman, says workers are in a “wait and see” mode:

“There are redundancy clauses in place for some workers, but no Just Transition commitments at the employer level. Workers are aware that nothing is guaranteed in the medium-to-long term, and the lack of a clear plan leaves many in limbo.”

Methanex plays a key role in Aotearoa’s gas industry, yet financial reporting suggests the company faces a gradual decline, with some analysts predicting a complete exit from New Zealand by 2029, if not sooner. This has significant implications for the region, with challenges going beyond Methanex itself.

“Downstream companies that support Methanex have already seen significant job losses. Traditionally, Taranaki-based contractors had 80% of their work locally and 20% elsewhere. Now that’s flipped, with only 20% of their work coming from the region.”

The report highlights a growing understanding that the oil and gas industries have limited long-term benefits. Offshore wind projects, such as those proposed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and NZ Super Fund, present a better opportunity for Taranaki workers and communities.

“Offshore wind projects are a real solution for a Just Transition in Taranaki, providing both construction and long-term maintenance jobs while contributing to Aotearoa’s energy security. The recent exit of BlueFloat highlights the need for a coordinated national approach to ensure these opportunities are realised.

“E tū also calls for a focus on more sustainable energy solutions as the price of renewable energy technology, such as wind, solar, and battery storage, continues to fall. Natural gas is not the answer for Aotearoa’s energy future. Financially and geologically, the industry cannot deliver the energy security that New Zealand needs.

Annie says any energy transition must prioritise the workers and communities that have powered Aotearoa for generations.

“The Taranaki community deserves better than being left to pick up the pieces. We need a Just Transition that ensures good jobs, community stability, and a sustainable future for Taranaki and all of Aotearoa.”

Source: Etu Union

E tū is appalled with the Government’s decision to increase the minimum wage by less than inflation for a second year in a row.

Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, announced today that from April next year the minimum wage will be $23.50, an increase of just 35c, or 1.5%. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) most recently reported annual change was 2.2%.

A calculation done by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions shows this will make full time minimum wage workers worse off by $1,206 per year, compared to how much they would have earned if minimum wage increases had kept up with inflation.

The announced rate is $4.30 below the Living Wage, which is $27.80 for 2024/25. The difference is $172 per week, or $8,944 per year.

E tū Assistant National Secretary, Annie Newman, condemns the decision.

“The Government has made another callous decision which will make in-work poverty even worse in Aotearoa,” Annie says.

“This is effectively a pay cut for the most vulnerable and lowest paid people in the workforce. Costs continue to rise across the board, with housing, food, transport, energy, and other essentials becoming even less affordable.

“Workers and their families are already up against extra costs imposed by this Government, such as ACC levy increases, the reinstatement of prescription fees, and slashing public transport subsidies.

“The Government seems hell-bent on making life hardest for those who need the most support.”

Annie says every worker deserves the Living Wage.

“The difference the Living Wage makes for workers is life changing. When our members win the Living Wage, they’re in a much better position to make ends meet. Many report being able to reduce their very long hours, allowing them to spend decent time with their families.

“Increasing wages in the best way to reduce in-work poverty. The Government should be lifting the minimum wage above the rate of inflation to bridge the gap between the minimum wage and the Living Wage.

“Instead of increasing the minimum wage above CPI, or even keeping up with it, they’ve chosen to give minimum wage workers a pay cut in real terms. It’s a decision to exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis for those it hits hardest.

“As Aotearoa’s workers finish 2024 and look ahead to the new year, those who earn the least are finding out today the Government has chosen to make life even harder for them in 2025. It’s frankly outrageous.”

Source: Etu Union

On International Human Rights Day, E tū is calling on the Government to help fix gender-based pay discrimination by delivering pay equity for care and support workers.

E tū is the union for care and support workers, including those working in residential aged care, home support, disability support, and mental health and addictions. Over 65,000 care workers in Aotearoa New Zealand have been in a prolonged process for a pay equity settlement.

E tū Community Support Services Industry Council Convenor, Marianne Bishop, says it’s important to acknowledge the disparity on International Human Rights Day.

“The underpayment of people working in the care sector is a global issue, which reflects the undervaluation of work traditionally done by women,” Marianne says.

“In Aotearoa, we made some progress with Kristine Barlett’s historic equal pay settlement in 2017, but the pay has slipped back to near the minimum wage.

“A decent and enduring pay equity settlement is well overdue. Carers do this job because we want to make a real difference, and help people live their lives with dignity. Poor rates of pay are taking advantage of our commitment to helping people.

“By valuing care and support workers, we also show that we value the vulnerable elderly and disabled people who they care for.”

E tū National Secretary, Rachel Mackintosh, says fixing pay equity is an important human rights issue.

“Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),” Rachel says.

“This landmark document enshrines the rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

“To honour our commitment to human rights, we must end gender-based pay discrimination. Aotearoa has had some significant pay equity victories, but care and support workers are still waiting – and they’re fed up.

“It comes down to a political choice. The Government has prioritised tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies, but won’t front up to pay women fairly.

“They must choose a different path, to prioritise working people and our communities. A decent and enduring pay equity settlement would be an excellent start.”

E tū is part of the Pay Equity Coalition Aotearoa (PECA), an alliance of civil society organisations working together to bridge the gender pay gap.

Source: Etu Union

Workers at OJI Fibre Solutions’ Kinleith mill in Tokoroa are hugely disappointed to learn today about a company proposal to end paper manufacturing, which would result in the loss of 230 jobs.

The workers, who are members of E tū, FIRST Union, and AWUNZ, were told about the proposal in a meeting this morning. Head delegate Ian Farall says the proposal demonstrates the failures of the company.

“I think it’s been a long time in the making, but the company has known it was going to get to this point, and have mismanaged the whole process,” Ian says.

“We’re all very disappointed by their inability to turn it around. They can’t control what the market does, but they could have been much better prepared for this point in the cycle.

“There have been many problems at the mill, they have not kept up with maintenance, and they have not made the right investments to secure a future for paper production.”

Ian says all members are feeling let down.

“There were a lot of angry people in the meeting this morning. People were speaking from the heart, about how disappointed they are. Union members had a near-unanimous vote of no-confidence in the management, to show how frustrated we are. Many chose to simply walk out.

“It’s not just the directly impacted workers who are angry. We’re in unity here, and we know the downstream effects will harm the whole community. It’s the truck drivers, the local cafes and other businesses – many people locally rely on the mill as the heartbeat of south Waikato.”

E tū Negotiation Specialist, Joe Gallagher, has been meeting with the members and management this morning. He calls on the company to do better by their workers.

“OJI have got themselves into this situation, and they can’t just hang the workers out to dry,” Joe says.

“We don’t believe the company has done everything they can to avoid this outcome. It’s a hell of a thing to tell people with Christmas just around the corner, and we need a longer period of consultation to really understand the potential alternatives to stopping paper production completely.”

Joe says the Government must also step up to support domestic manufacturing.

“The crisis in manufacturing is not simply about unstoppable global market forces. It’s the result of an ineffective energy market, a lack of planning for a Just Transition, and a Government asleep at the wheel.

“We will not become a high-skill, high-wage economy while our political leadership continues with such a hands-off approach to our industries. Kinleith is not the first plant to be in this position recently and it may not be the last.

“Now’s the time for both businesses and the Government to get real about the crisis before us and work to reverse it. That’s the leadership communities like Tokoroa deserve.”

Source: Etu Union

Statement by Mark Anderson, E tū Engineering, Infrastructure, and Extractives Industry Convenor

E tū acknowledges the anniversary of the 29 workers killed at Pike River. Today in Parliament the Minister of Workplace Relations, ACT MP Brooke van Velden, read out a statement commemorating the miners. While it is right that the House took time to recognise the hurt and pain caused by the explosion and its aftermath, the Government needs to do more honour the legacy of Pike River.  

The Minister’s actions on health and safety show the Minister has failed to understand the lessons of Pike River. Instead of boosting health and safety at work, her party and her Government are looking for ways to water down the protections it has delivered.

The Minister’s motion moved was:

That this House notes that today in 2010, 29 miners lost their lives while at work in the Pike River Mine: express its condolences to family and friends who will forever be profoundly impacted; and thank rescue and support teams for their service on that day and the days that followed.

If we want to honour the workers who died at Pike River, then let’s remember that WorkSafe and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 were an outcome of the Royal Commission of Enquiry. The true legacy of Pike River is that 14 years on we have managed to reduce serious injuries and deaths at work. But more is needed. The level of danger to workers is still far too high.

According to Stats NZ, last year a quarter of a million people were injured at work with 43,200 serious injuries or deaths. That is 120 serious injuries every day. There were 54 fatal work-related injuries. This is down from the 81 New Zealanders killed in 2022 but it is a fact that workers are still dying and that 43,200 serious injuries is still too many. One worker a week is dying at work in New Zealand.  

Pike River happened because the owners of the mine put potential profit before worker safety. They failed to be good managers. They blew up their business. They killed 29 miners and devastated the West Coast community.

The explosion in the mine was a brutal reminder that health and safety is not a barrier to business and economic progress. Better health and safety protects workers and it improves business productivity. We will have a better economy when we stop killing and injuring people at work.

The Health and Safety at Work Act is a good piece of legislation. It works because it requires everyone at work play a role in health and safety and it because ensures workers have a voice in how health and safety is practiced. Spending more on Worksafe and doing more to improve the Act and improve the guidelines, training and regulations that bring the Act to life must be a priority for every government. We owe it to the miners who died at Pike River to do more.

Source: Etu Union

E tū, the union for care and support workers, is releasing a new report into the state of the care and support industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Transforming Care report lays out the many problems in the industry, including in residential aged care, home support, disability support, and mental health and addiction support.

The report tells the story of workers with their own voices, including a series of in-depth personal interviews with E tū members, the results of a survey of care and support workers, and support from various stakeholders across the community.

The report was compiled with the help of Dame Judy McGregor, who as first Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, released the 2012 Caring Counts report, a result of the inquiry into the equal employment opportunity issues in the aged care workforce. Caring Counts was a significant part of the evidence base that lead to the historic equal pay settlement in 2017.

The report will be presented to a government representative by care and support workers, as well as their community supporters.

E tū Assistant National Secretary, Annie Newman, says we have a real crisis in care and support, which needs urgent attention.

“Our report, and our wider Transforming Care campaign, has a focus on three core pillars – the value of care, the standard of care, and the funding of care.

“Workers need to be properly valued, especially through their pay, for their essential work. They need decent conditions to work in, with decent training and the right number of staff to do the work safely. The funding model needs a total overhaul so the interests of carers, those they care for, and their communities are taken into account.

“We know that we can only solve these problems with the input of our whole community, and we are thrilled to have the support of individuals and organisations that share our concerns and are eager to work together for real transformation.”

Source: Etu Union

Workers at Sistema’s Auckland plant are gutted to learn the company intends to cut their 407-strong workforce to 305, meaning 102 people will lose their jobs.

The plastics manufacturer, which produces popular plastic storage products for both domestic and international markets, says the proposal is the result of declining sales and increasing costs.

Ma Roberts, a Sistema worker and E tū Industry Convenor for Manufacturing and Food, says the news is hard to take.

“We’ve known about this possibility for a while, but for many it still seems like a real surprise,” Ma says.

“Work has been slowing down since last year, and we know the production costs have risen for the company. But people rely on this work to get by, and for many workers this job is the best opportunity they have.”

Ma says the workforce is experiencing a sense of dread about the future.

“Many workers have English as a second language and are worried they could have trouble finding new work. We have older workers too, who could struggle. There is a lot of fear around what is to come.

“It is especially hard this close to Christmas, which is a stressful and expensive time for many people. Employees have seen that work has been quiet for a long time now, so it’s a disappointment that this is being brought up right before Christmas when families are under pressure.

“The company has offered voluntary redundancy which is good, but we will need a fair and transparent process to figure out who gets to keep their job, and those who don’t will need as much support from the company as possible.”

E tū Director Georgie Dansey says she understands the position the company is in, but stresses that the company can do a lot to help support the workers who will lose their jobs.

“As we begin consultation around this proposal, the immediate and longer-term interests of affected workers must be front and centre,” Georgie says.

“There are promising early signs that E tū can work with the company to support the workers. For example, they are offering a paid four-week notice period without a requirement to work, and an extra four weeks’ pay after that. This will certainly help people who have lost their jobs to get back on their feet.

“However, we know there is a lot more companies can do in this situation. We’d like to see support for training and skills development, for example help with developing numeracy and literacy to give workers a better shot in the job market.

“This is what a Just Transition is all about – ensuring the effects of industry pressures do not fall unfairly on the shoulders of the people doing the work.”

Source: Etu Union

E tū members will join the wider union movement and our community allies at the ‘Fight Back Together – Maranga Ake’ hui happening nationwide tomorrow, Wednesday 23 October 2024.

E tū is the biggest private sector union in Aotearoa New Zealand, covering a huge variety of workers including in aviation, communications, community support services, manufacturing, food, engineering, infrastructure, extractions, property services, and in many other industries.

E tū National Secretary, Rachel Mackintosh, says E tū members will be out in force.

“The hui are one part of the union movement’s mobilisation in the face of attacks from a shockingly anti-worker coalition Government,” Rachel says.

“The Government has already cancelled Fair Pay Agreements, re-introduced 90-day ‘fire at will’ trials for all workplaces, and increased the minimum wage below the inflation rate – effectively giving Aotearoa’s lowest paid workers a pay cut during a cost-of-living crisis.

“They aren’t stopping there. The Government has plans to remove the rights of workers to challenge their status as contractors, robbing them of an important legal protection. We’re deeply concerned about their proposals to meddle with health and safety legislation. They have deprioritised pay equity. We’re calling on the Government to reverse their dangerous agenda in workplace relations.”

Rachel says E tū members are troubled by the Government’s actions and plans beyond workplace relations as well.

“Luxon’s Government is overseeing a deliberate weakening of our public services, particularly in healthcare. They are stoking upsetting divisions in our society with their attacks on te Tiriti and te ao Māori. They have mucked up our social housing programme and cancelled modern transport solutions. It’s a Government of profits for rich mates ahead of people and the environment. Workers are angry, and they have every reason to be.

“We have a vision for something better for working people in Aotearoa. This can be a place where we have decent work, good social and physical infrastructure to support communities, justice under Te Tiriti, an end to inequality and hope for the future.”

Rachel says tomorrow will be a landmark event for E tū and the wider union movement’s activities to demand better for all, not just for a few.

“This isn’t the start, nor the end, of our campaign to protect workers and our communities from the harms of bad political leadership. However the hui will be a significant milestone, and I am proud that E tū members’ voices will join the chorus tomorrow and beyond.”

Source: Etu Union

E tū, the union representing TVNZ workers, is raising significant concerns over the broadcaster’s proposed sweeping changes, which could reshape not just TVNZ, but Aotearoa New Zealand’s wider media landscape.

E tū Negotiation Specialist, Michael Wood, has called for full and meaningful engagement as these proposals are considered, emphasising the potential risks to both TVNZ and the country’s media ecosystem.

“The scale of change being proposed here is enormous,” Michael says.

“This is not just a transformation within TVNZ, but one that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire media sector. These changes must be worked through with great care, and E tū and its members will accept nothing less than genuine engagement from all parties involved.”

While E tū acknowledges the necessity of shifting towards a digital future, the union is deeply concerned about the potential loss of TVNZ’s core strengths, particularly its skilled staff and capacity to deliver in-depth, quality journalism.

“We support the move towards a more digital service, but this must be done in a way that preserves the essence of what makes TVNZ valuable. It’s crucial to safeguard the ability to investigate and report on the stories that matter.

“Cutting back on text-based content while simultaneously removing successful video programmes like Fair Go and Sunday raises serious questions about the direction of these changes. If TVNZ is serious about a video-first strategy, they need to invest – not simply slash resources.”

A key concern is the proposal to outsource jobs, potentially overseas.

“Outsourcing jobs threatens TVNZ’s most important asset – skilled, experienced staff, with deep institutional knowledge. Outsourcing not only risks losing these skills but can lead to higher costs and a weaker organisation. We’ve seen this play out in other sectors, and it’s not a path we should go down.”

E tū is also questioning the Government’s role in pressuring TVNZ to deliver a dividend during such a pivotal moment for the organisation.

“It’s difficult to understand why the Government would maintain pressure for a dividend in this environment. TVNZ is undergoing major upheaval, and it would be wise for the Government to reconsider its expectations while these significant changes are being negotiated.”

E tū members will hold a union meeting on Thursday to fully discuss the proposals and decide the next steps.

Source: Etu Union

E tū and FIRST Union members are devastated to learn that Winstone Pulp International (WPI) has confirmed their intention to close the Karioi pulp mill and Tangiwai sawmill despite significant last-minute efforts to keep the mills open and save around 300 jobs in the community.

Jude Sinai, a FIRST Union delegate at the Karioi pulp mill, said workers were gutted, disappointed and let down by the decision to close.

“We were hoping that the Government and wood sector would find a positive outcome and look for a way forward that’s profitable,” said Mr Sinai.

“But they didn’t come to the party and couldn’t put together a long-term strategy to lock in power prices. Whatever was offered wasn’t enough.”

“It’s sad being here today and nostalgic – some of us have been here 20, 30, 40 years. We’ve spent so long at these sites, but the end was really sudden, with only 2 weeks to prepare physically, financially and emotionally for this outcome.”

“But we have a lot of aroha for our community and want to thank everyone who supported us. They’ve been staunchly behind us, and our hearts go out to you.”

“This will have a huge ripple effect across the Ruapehu district – these jobs are a financial backbone for the region.”

“We’re the coaches, we sit on the boards of trustees, we send our kids to the local schools… without the support, it will open up a huge vacuum in the community.”

“There’s disappointment we couldn’t make a go of it, and we want to thank the community for fighting and supporting us through this anxious time,” said Daniel Abernethy, E tū delegate.

“There are some of us that call these communities home, and leaving here is the last option. I never thought the plant was going to close, I considered this to be my retirement job.”

Dennis Maga, FIRST Union General Secretary, said that WPI’s decision to close is a tragedy for workers, families, community, local iwi and hapū, and other businesses in the area.

“The decision to close the doors of the two mills follows the spike in electricity prices during August that led to the company suspending production for over a month,” said Mr Maga.

“The closure shows a Government asleep at the wheel with no care for the destruction that its previous electricity reforms have caused for workers, communities and businesses across the country.”

“As Ruapehu Mayor Kirton put it – what’s the use of Prime Minister Luxon touring Asian countries trying to get more investment into NZ when our broken electricity supply system means existing investors are closing mills and leaving the country?”

“The unions thank Mayor Kirton and other Mayors, opposition parties and Hon Shane Jones for joining the fight to keep the mills open.”

Mr Maga said that the unions will immediately start working with the company, local government and iwi and hapū to put in place a redundancy support programme for mill workers and their families.

“We will be calling on MSD and other government agencies to lift their game and provide the support needed for workers, their families and communities within the district,” said Mr Maga.

“It’s a very sad day for affected workers, and the whole community which relies on decent jobs in the area,” said Rachel Mackintosh, E tū National Secretary.

“I know our members have been heartened by the outpouring of community support – people are deeply concerned about their neighbours and the turbulent time ahead for those who will need to find other work.

“Large workplaces in rural areas are often the backbone of their communities. People living in the Ruapehu district have fought hard to protect the mills’ futures, and many will be devastated by the news today.”

Ms Mackintosh says the closure demonstrates a failure of the Government to step up.

“We need to protect local manufacturing. By leaving the industry so vulnerable to the fluctuations of the energy market, there’s a clear risk that we lose opportunities for well-paid work, and damage Aotearoa’s wider productive economy.”

“Mega profits from the partially privatised gentailers, and the lack of an effective strategy for a clean and secure energy future, are huge factors in the closures today. It’s simply not good enough for the Government to let our local industries fail like this – it’s an abdication of responsibility.”