Category: Media releases

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

NZCTU condemns contractor reform as fundamental attack on workers’ rights

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is condemning a proposed change to employment law as a deplorable attack on workers’ rights.

Minister for Workplace Relations, Brooke van Velden, has instructed her officials to begin work on preventing workers misclassified as contractors from challenging their employment status in the courts.

“The Minister is consulting on removing fundamental employee rights, such as a minimum wage, annual leave, rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. That she even considers these changes worthy of consultation is deplorable,” said Wagstaff.

“If implemented, these changes represent the biggest attack on workers’ rights since the early 1990s and would open the floodgates to worker exploitation across Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Blocking workers from challenging their employment status in court will allow unscrupulous employers to circumvent employment law by hiring people as contractors, without fear of challenge.

“This could completely change the nature of employment. Workers in industries that currently seem safe from being engaged as contractors, would be at risk if these changes go through.

“The Minister wants to block vulnerable workers from even being able to have their case heard. This is not only unethical, but also legally unworkable.

“The NZCTU totally oppose any attempt by government to undermine access to justice for working people. Everyone, regardless of employment status, deserves good work – work that is well-paid, safe and secure and contributes to a meaningful and fulfilling life,” said Wagstaff.

Posted on

Government ferry decision a case of political steering failure

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union says the Government’s U-turn on purchasing new Interislander ferries is the predictable but costly outcome of flawed decision making.

The Government has said it is now looking at building new ferries again following the advice of the Ministerial Advisory Group.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the grounding of the Aratere last week has now brought home the seriousness of the situation of our inter-island ferries.

“The iRex project for new ferries and terminals should have been reconfigured rather than cancelled outright.”??

He says the claimed savings by the Government do not stack up.  

“There needs to be an accounting of costs incurred up to now, including any break fees, a far higher price point for new builds ordered now, and a probable five year wait for new vessels to come into service.”

Mr Findlay says industry sources have suggested that the all up cost of the new builds could be up to $1.2 billion – more than double the $551 million cost of the vessels for the cancelled iRex project.

The current ferries will all be well over thirty years old by 2029. Maintenance costs have doubled on the ageing ferries to an estimated $65 million a year.

Mr Findlay says it is unacceptable that crew and passengers will be exposed to risk caused by failure to invest in ferries and infrastructure.

He expressed grave concern the proposed new ferries would not be rail capable.??

“This means double handling of containers, adding substantial costs for freight customers, delays and undermining the supply chain.”

Mr Findlay says none of this takes into account that the Picton and Wellington ferry terminals both still require modernization.

The Maritime Union says new ferries have to be rail capable and there needs to be a plan for terminal upgrades in both Wellington and Picton.

Posted on

Interislander grounding a warning for the future

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff says that the grounding of the Aratere is a warning about the current state of the Interislander service.

“New Zealand has now found itself lucky twice with the Interislander. In 2023, the Kaitaki lost all power with more than 800 passengers on board. Now the Aratere is grounded in Picton. The health and safety of passengers and crew demands a full investigation,” said Wagstaff.

“Our thoughts are with the crew and drivers currently being evacuated.

“These are aging ships that require more intensive repair and maintenance – as we discovered last year when the Kaiarahi service was canceled for days. It’s beyond time that they were replaced with safe and efficient ferries.

“$15bn of cargo is carried annually by the Interislander. It’s in everyone’s interest to make sure that the service is seaworthy.

 “The decision to cancel the replacement ferries should be urgently reviewed in light of the developments overnight. The replacement ships from Korea could have been here from next year. 

“This is a symbol of the direction of this Government. We can’t get power to Northland. A key ferry service is grounded. Yet investment by government in infrastructure will fall every year under the new Budget. The priorities of this Government are all wrong.

“We need an urgent and thorough investigation into this incident, which must include how we are going to deliver new ferries in a reasonable timeline. This grounding is warning that without further investment, lives and our economic security will be put at risk,” said Wagstaff.

Posted on

NZCTU slams Government cutting disabled workers wages as disgraceful

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The NZCTU is slamming a decision by the Government in Budget 2024 to cut a programme which ensured that disabled workers are paid the minimum wage.

“It is disgraceful that this Government is cutting the incomes of hundreds of workers with disabilities across Aotearoa New Zealand,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“The idea that any worker should be paid below the minimum wage, let alone as low as $2 per hour, is totally unacceptable.

“The Government was elected on a platform of supporting New Zealanders through the cost-of-living crisis, and yet with this change they are intentionally making life harder for disabled workers,” said Wagstaff.

“The previous Government’s decision to end the minimum wage exemption for disabled workers by paying employers a subsidy was a long-overdue decision,” said Nicole Wallace, convenor of Kaimahi Whaikaha, the NZCTUs disabled workers sector group.

“That policy was the result of decades of advocacy by workers with disabilities, the union movement, and disabled people’s organisations. Workers with disabilities deserve to work with dignity.  

“It is deeply disappointing that the new Government is reversing that policy and condemning many disabled workers to low wages.

“Workplace discrimination and lack of access to work are a significant contributor to high rates of poverty among people with disabilities. This decision will further increase poverty among disabled people,” said Wallace.

Posted on

GDP data camouflages economic weakness

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data today released by Statistics New Zealand shows that the economy grew by just 0.2% annually, showing stalled growth and weak demand. There has now been six successive quarters of decline, the worst period since the GFC. This is not an economy that is growing or working for working people.

“This data confirms the weakness of the economy at this point. We are becoming more dependent for growth on a few sectors, such as dairy exports, tourism, and rental services. Overall, our exports of goods and services fell in real terms by 0.4%. The top level growth figure of 0.2% growth is hiding real problems in the economy,” said CTU economist Craig Renney.

“On a per capita basis, annual GDP fell by 2.4%. Business investment fell 0.5% overall, led by a decline in plant, machinery and equipment. Households annual consumption of durable and non-durable goods fell 2.6%. This is a very weak set of accounts.  

“GDP data showed declines in output for mining, manufacturing, construction, wholesale trade, retail trade and accomodation, transport, postal and warehousing. Falls occurred in professional, scientific, and technical services. Annual GDP growth was weaker than Australia, Canada, the EU, the US, and the OECD average of 1.7%.

 “This dataset supports the view that many people will already hold – the economy is limping along. Last months Budget had no plan for economic growth, nor any ideas as to how to make the economy work for working people. Countries that have invested in their productive capacity – such as the US – have seen much stronger and more sustained growth.

“Now should be the time that we invest in Aotearoa. Growth is being held back by a lack of investment, both by the government and the private sector.

There is no confidence in the economic management of this country because there is no plan for anything except a tax cut, and reducing government investment in areas such as housing, research and development, and climate change,” said Renney.

Posted on

MEDIA RELEASE: Government Ignores Safety, Fairness & Public Opinion in Womens Sports

Source: Family First

MEDIA RELEASE
18 June 2024

Family First says that the coalition government is ignoring the safety and fairness required in sports especially for women, but also strong public opinion, by turning a blind eye to biological males playing in female sports.

“We have heard of plenty of examples of unfairness and concerns about safety, not only in New Zealand, but around the world. Many international sporting groups have recognised the issue – but apparently not our government,” says Bob McCoskrie, CEO of Family First.

And a recent Curia Market Research poll  found that only 13% of New Zealanders thought that boys who identify as girls should be able to play in a girls team. 68% said they shouldn’t, and 19% were unsure.

“What is most interesting is that a similar poll in 2018 by the same polling company found that support and opposition was locked at 39% each. Opposition has grown markedly over the last five years to the unfairness and safety concerns around boys competing against girls.”

“Contrary to the narrative, ‘trans people’ can still play sport. They just need to align with the team of their biological sex. The other option is to create a new mixed category.”

“But females deserve to play in their own league. The government has dropped the ball on this by not sending clear guidelines to sporting groups.”

Posted on

New Zealand not in Better Health after Budget 2024

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The NZCTU has analysed the health spending at Budget 24 in conjunction with ASMS and NZNO. Health funding was central during the election campaign. All major political parties stated that they would increase health funding every year.

 “This Government has added $93 million to health operating expenditure for the 2024/25 fiscal year on a net basis. This appears to be much less than the $2 billion of new operating expenditure claimed in the Budget. Much of that is not new money, it’s simply recycled expenditure. When adjusted for inflation, total operating expenditure fell by $775 million or nearly 3%,” said Craig Renney, NZCTU Economist and Director of Policy.

“With population growth, this figure becomes even more troubling. Per capita operational expenditure on health fell by 1.3%, and real per capita expenditure (i.e., adjusted for inflation) fell by 4.5% on current population projections.

“Many election promises were not delivered in Budget 2024, including:

  • 13 new cancer drugs
  • 50 additional doctors per year
  • More nurses and midwives
  • Funding a new medical school.

“As an example of the priorities within government, Budget 2024 commits more new money to funding security guards for A&E departments than to training new medical staff. We would question whether hospitals would need so much security if patients were being seen more quickly by doctors.

“This Budget doesn’t appear to have addressed any of the key workforce shortages in any meaningful way. This is likely to increase stress levels across the workforce and encourage more trained medical staff to move overseas.

“Budget 2025 will present another opportunity to address the shortages being generated by this Budget. The Coalition Government needs to take that opportunity to invest properly in health services and health workforces,” said Renney.

Posted on

Review an opportunity to strengthen workplace health and safety

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on Minister Brooke van Velden to ensure that her review of health and safety law puts the voices of workers front and centre.

“Everyone in New Zealand has the right to expect a safe workplace and to be able to come home safely to their family at the end of the day. That must be the number one priority of any review to health and safety laws,” said Wagstaff.

“This review must include robust consultation and engagement with workers and their unions, to ensure best practice health and safety. It is workers who bear the brunt of poor health and safety, the people doing the work are the best placed to understand risks.

“I am concerned that the announcement of this review foreshadows a weakening of a long-standing consensus on improving workplace health and safety in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“The current Health and Safety Act is generally working well, and it is line with international best practice. What we need is to build on the current system, and strengthen the law, rather than weaken it.

“This Government’s aversion to regulation must not put the health and safety of workers at risk. Good health and safety relies on having a strong regulator, capable employers, and informed and empowered workers working together.

“Good businesses know the importance of health and safety, it’s not a tacked-on compliance cost but a standard part of good business practice.

“Under the Minister’s watch, WorkSafe has undertaken job cuts and is under further pressure to find even more cost savings. This is a recipe for further workplace injuries and death.

“This review is a great opportunity to strengthen New Zealand’s approach to health and safety. Some easy wins for the Minister would be to ban engineered stone and introduce corporate manslaughter legislation,” said Wagstaff.

Posted on

Proposed Holidays Act changes undermine workers’ entitlements

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is calling on the Government to not reduce worker entitlements in their review of the Holidays Act.

“We are concerned that the proposed changes undermine the agreed position reached by unions and business under the last government,” said Acting NZCTU President Rachel Mackintosh.

“Under the guise of ‘simplicity’, the Minister seems intent on reducing hard-won entitlements that have been put in place for working people.

“Worker entitlements in the Holidays Act must be protected through this review. There appear to be no plans to engage with workers or their unions, despite them being the people who are directly impacted by this.

“We reject the idea that part-time workers should have their sick leave entitlement pro-rated. Viruses and other illnesses have no regard for hours of work.

“The proposed changes are irresponsible, and will disproportionately impact on Māori, Pasifika, women and other vulnerable workers, who are more likely to be in part-time and insecure work.

“People who are sick should be supported to stay at home and not spread sickness around workplaces.

“These changes will force more people to go into work sick, and that represents a step backwards. Ultimately, it would be worse for businesses, families and communities and our stretched health system.

“Everyone deserves good work – and that means workers should have enough leave available to look after their health and wellbeing and live a meaningful and fulfilling life,” said Mackintosh.

Posted on

MEDIA RELEASE: New website showcases ‘woke’ businesses

Source: Family First

A new website WokeUp.nz has just been launched by Family First NZ. The website documents wokeness in New Zealand-based businesses so that Kiwi consumers can decide for themselves who to do business with and who to avoid, based on the values of the business.

“Most people just want to purchase products and services, then get on with their lives. They don’t want businesses shoving woke beliefs down their throats as part of their purchase. They also don’t want to support businesses who then fund groups that the consumer opposes – for example, funding InsideOut to push radical gender and sexuality messaging in primary schools. Businesses should stick to business, not telling people and their staff what and how to think,” says CEO Bob McCoskrie.

Family First is being regularly contacted by employees concerned about the ramming down of ideologies under the guise of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). This includes most government departments and organisations.

Unfortunately, “Woke Capitalism” is spreading rapidly through the corporate business world affecting every category of business. Many corporations, CEOs, and cultural elites are supporting “progressive” left-wing agendas such as DEI, transgenderism, same-sex marriage, climate alarmism, abortion, and Critical Race Theory.

“We want consumers to access the information on this website so that they can vote with their dollars, and do business with companies which don’t hate their values. Companies that support woke causes and agendas ultimately pass on the costs to the consumer.”

A poll by Curia Market Research last year found that 33% of respondents want businesses to stay neutral on controversial issues, 20% want them to take a stand and 45% have no preference either way. However, 67% of respondents said it was somewhat or very likely they would boycott a business that took a public stand on a controversial issue they disagreed with.

Industries examined on the new website include airlines, banks & finance, energy, food & drink, petrol, retail, supermarkets and telco. The information collated is based on published material from the companies on their social media, websites & in the media. There is also a section with latest media stories highlighting wokeness in other companies or brands.

Most importantly, consumers can send through their own evidence of businesses that are pushing a woke narrative that they disagree with.

“Sadly there seems to be no shortage of them at the moment.”

Check out the full website – WokeUp.nz