“Reducing WorkSafe’s capacity and capability is the wrong thing to be undertaking when New Zealand’s poor health and safety record is costing so many lives of working people,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
Between June 2022 and June 2023, 71 New Zealanders died from a result of an injury at work. In addition, estimates suggest that another 750-900 workers die each year from work-related occupational diseases such as asbestosis and cancers.
“More funding is needed right now to ensure WorkSafe’s valuable mahi can continue to help ensure working New Zealanders can return home safe and healthy from work.”
While the NZCTU agrees with the intention to prioritise maintaining the existing frontline inspectorate numbers, this needs to be understood within the context of an already understaffed resource, and now the frontline inspectorate will operate with even less organisational support.
In addition, WorkSafe have an array of core legislative functions which are beyond simply ensuring compliance with minimum standards, such as establishing codes of practice and best practice guidance on how work safely, data analysis and providing research and education.
Following the Pike River Mine tragedy, the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety called for a regulator that had both the mandate and resources to be a visible and effective best practice regulator.
“Reducing WorkSafe’s capacity now risks going back to how things were in the lead up to Pike.
“These proposed cuts will only make it much harder for New Zealand to make real progress in turning around its poor health and safety record,” said Wagstaff.
“What is really worrying is that National and Act are threatening to make even more cuts at WorkSafe and across the public service to fund their tax cuts for landlords and others.
“When cuts are made to public services, there are real consequences as this exercise at WorkSafe shows. The scale of cuts demanded by National and ACT would have a huge impact on public services New Zealanders rely on – there is no doubt that hospitals, schools, and many other services are at risk.
“You just can’t cut public services and expect better results – WorkSafe’s proposals for restructuring are a clear warning of the consequences of that,” said Wagstaff.
The economy is in stronger than expected shape, with official figures showing GDP growing at an annual rate of 3.2% says NZCTU Economist Craig Renney.
“The June quarter result is an encouraging sign of the underlying strength of the economy,” said Renney.
“The data also confirms that the economy was not in a recession, showing flat growth instead. When taken together with strong employment data, strong wage growth, and falling inflation, this data does not support those who are seeking to paint a picture of a struggling economy. They are wrong.”
“The data shows that the economy is now 9.2% larger than it was at the start of COVID-19. Quarterly growth was stronger than had been forecast by ANZ, ASB, Westpac, RBNZ, and the Treasury forecasts just last week. Growth was widespread, with 14 of the 16 sectors of the economy showing annual output growth. Exports were 13.1% higher than in June last year, again showing the New Zealand economy competing successfully on the world stage.
“This data is welcome news. The New Zealand economy is growing even with strong population growth. GDP per capita rose 2.2% last year. International experts such as Standard & Poor have said that New Zealand has ‘excellent institutions, a wealthy economy and moderate public indebtedness’. We can now add that it also has a growing economy, and no recession despite huge international economic challenges.
“We are in good shape and while there may still be dark clouds ahead, the underlying picture is one of an economy that has weathered the post-COVID environment better than many expected.”
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions says it beggars belief that National Leader Christopher Luxon can retain confidence in his finance spokesperson Nicola Willis after the latest revelations about the size of the hole in its tax plan.
As reported on RNZ today, two respected economists, working with property experts CoreLogic, show National’s Foreign Buyer Tax would raise just $210m a year compared to National’s optimistic estimates of $740 million.
“This amounts to a staggering hole of more than $2 billion over the four-year forecast period,” said CTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“The CTU has said all along that National’s tax plan doesn’t add up and the weight of expert evidence continues to mount daily, confirming a huge headache for National – the credibility of finance spokesperson Nicola Willis is at stake here.
“We call on Christopher Luxon to express confidence in Ms Willis and explain how the Foreign Buyer Tax will work and release the reports which they are relying on instead of resorting to the sweeping and shallow defences he has made to date. He needs to front up and answer the hard questions journalists are asking every day.
“There is too much at stake here. If the numbers don’t add up as many now suspect, and a huge fiscal hole to the tune of billions of dollars opens up, a National-ACT government would have to take an even sharper axe to public services and slash and burn core services should it form the next government.
“Nicola Willis has said she wants to cut $600 million in public sector spending by Christmas. Clearly, the cuts would be more severe to make the tax plan work – they would need to more than double – and that means the public service would be incapacitated and unable to function effectively.
“National needs to come clean on what those cuts will mean for New Zealanders – without a doubt services New Zealanders need across health, education, justice, welfare, conservation, biosecurity, customs and much more are at risk.
“Mr Luxon makes a lot of his corporate record – but no leader of a listed company would stand for this shambolic accounting.
“This election is all about earning the right to lead New Zealand. Right now, Mr Luxon is not doing enough to prove he’s got what it takes. He needs to front up with evidence and numbers that add up, or own up to the fact that his plan is not fit for purpose.”
“While secondary teachers would agree with the apparent purpose of the report – to assess how well ITE programmes prepare beginning teachers for the classroom and explore ways of making ITE more effective – we disagree with most of the report’s findings and its solutions which seem to be ideological rather than genuinely analytical or evidence-based.
“The report argues that the Teaching Council’s standards for certificating teachers are what’s wrong with ITE and they need to be far more ‘rigorous’. We would strongly oppose the Teaching Council developing overly prescriptive standards for how ITE providers should operate – research shows that learning to teach is a complex interplay of many skills and dispositions that need to operate in a wide variety of contexts.”
Chris Abercrombie said the report’s proposed solution – to enable groups of schools with similar values and philosophies to establish their own professional bodies each with their own set of standards – was simply bizarre. “A national teaching service is a cornerstone of our public education system in Aotearoa New Zealand, where every child and young person has the right to a similar standard of education no matter where they live.”
PPTA Te Wehengarua has set up a taskforce to look into ITE and particular concerns about the proliferation of providers offering a range of different programmes and the need to ensure that ITE prepared beginning teachers as well as possible for starting their careers. “Schools generally give beginning teachers a huge amount of support but ITE’s role in ensuring beginning teachers are as prepared as they can be, is one of the areas our taskforce is looking into.”
In the early 2000s in New Zealand colleges of education, that were staffed largely by registered teachers, began to follow international trends and amalgamated with universities. By the mid-2000s 90 percent of secondary ITE students were studying at universities. These amalgamations meant that ITE became valued for its academic focus and possibly less so for time spent learning the practice of teaching in schools. “It’s imperative that we make sure the balance is right.”
There’s a lot at stake this election, and we want to see a Labour-led Government back in power to protect the gains we’ve made for workers.
Join Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, Deputy Prime Minister, Carmel Sepuloni, Green Party co-leader, Marama Davidson, and your E tū leaders for an afternoon of music, kai and activism!
We’ll also head out to knock on doors and talk with the local community about the importance of voting and why a Labour-led Government is vital for workers.
WHEN:Saturday 16 September WHERE: EFKS Church, 43 Thomas Road, Māngere, Auckland TIME: 12pm start
Remember to pledge to vote
E tū members all over Aotearoa are making clear their intention to vote in the General Election.
Make the commitment by filling our Pledge to Vote HERE (if you haven’t already), and pass it on to share with workmates, whānau, friends, and your community.
We need everyone to get out and vote for a Labour-led Government, so we can ensure our voices are heard and we keep everything that we’ve worked so hard for!
Cleaners’ strike continues
Last week, cleaners working for cleaning company OCS took strike action again – this time at Auckland Airport, with a picket outside the domestic terminal.
OCS is refusing to come to the table with a pay increase for these workers, as one of the companies in bargaining for the new cleaners’ Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA).
Jacqueline Davis, one of the cleaners who went on strike, says the zero offer shows the companies don’t care about their workers.
“Personally, I think they just don’t give a damn about us. We’re nothing in their eyes, we’re just the little cleaners.
“OCS and all the other companies need to treat us with respect. If it wasn’t for us cleaners, the airport would be a hell of a mess. They need to treat us like people, we are sick of being treated like doormats.”
Strike action is planned to continue until OCS cleaners are offered a fair pay rise.
E tū leader joins international union conference
Last week, E tū leader Rosey Ngakopu, who works as a security guard in Wellington, joinedUNI Global Union’s 6th World Congressand Women’s Conference in Philadelphia.
Rosey was there to talk about E tū’s Fair Pay Agreement journey – from campaigning for it to become law, to finally starting to negotiate for security guards’ first-ever FPA!
She says the conferences were eye-opening and inspiring – and now E tū members need to take action to protect FPAs.
“We are being looked up to and watched by the unions overseas for our FPA model. Now we have to save FPAs by voting for a Labour-led Government.
“We have to encourage our family and friends to put their votes forward for the parties that support workers and will put them first before profit.”
New alliance in Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurau
Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga Tāmaki Makaurauis a new community alliance that seeks to unite the voices of our communities to tackle some of the big problems we face in Auckland.
E tū has been a strong driver of this new alliance, which focuses on three areas – housing, decent work, and migrant, former refugee and asylum seeker issues.
Come along to help us officially launch Te Ohu Tāmaki on Wednesday 6 September, 6pm-8pm in Māngere!
Living Wage ticks over to $26 per hour
On 1 September, the Living Wage went up to the official 2023/24 rate of $26 per hour.
This is a huge achievement and means a wage increase of almost 10%, which reflects the real cost of living increase for working families.
People working for Living Wage Employers are now entitled to this new rate, as are thousands of workers across the public sector, where E tū has won Living Wage victories.
Diversional therapists meet in Wellington
Do you know what the role of a diversional therapist is?
Diversional and recreational therapists support people with physical and developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, and age-related conditions like dementia.
They organise and facilitate creative and engaging programmes for the clients to increase their psycho-social health.
In mid-August, E tū members working at diversional therapists joined the annual conference for workers in their profession. It was a great chance to come together, connect, and attend a range of workshops.
E tū co-president Muriel Tunoho also gave a presentation (to standing ovation!) on employment rights, including E tū members’ current fight for pay equity for care and support workers.
E tū offices on the move
Our Wellington office is now moving into the city!
From 11 September, our new Wellington office address is:
Level 12, 79 Boulcott Street
Wellington 6011
Please note that the Whangarei office is now closed permanently. If you need to get in touch with an organiser in this area, please email support@etu.nz for more info.
New to E tū? Come to a welcome meeting
Learn more about how E tū can support you, how to use our digital tools, and more!
Click on the link of your preferred time to register.
WHEN:Wednesday 11 October TIME: 10am-11am: TIME: 7pm-8pm:
We use Zoom to host our meetings.
Events coming up
Auckland Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga launch – Wednesday 6 September, 6pm-8pm Lesieli Tonga Auditorium, 143 Favona Road, Māngere CLICK HERE to register now
E tū Election Campaign Launch – Saturday 16 September, 12pm EFKS Church, 43 Thomas Road, Māngere, Auckland CLICK HERE to register now
Climate Action Week – Monday 18 September to Sunday 24 September Nationwide events, CLICK HERE for more.
Living Wage Forums – Friday 29 September, 6.30pm-8pm Auckland: Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 27 Galway Street, Onehunga Wellington: St Peters on Willis, Willis Street, Wellington Christchurch: Aldersgate Centre, 309 Durham Street, Christchurch
Treasury data released today shows a resilient economy, but one with long-term challenges that need to be addressed to make sure that New Zealanders benefit from future economic growth, said CTU Economist and Director of Policy Craig Renney. The Treasury forecasts show that government debt will continue to be low by international standards, and unemployment will continue to be lower than the long-run. Wages will continue to grow faster than inflation, with record migration driving house prices higher in the future.
Craig Renney said “While it is pleasing to see growth returning in the economy, we need to make sure that the benefits of that growth are being equally shared. That means making sure that the government is continuing to invest in essential public services. It means making sure that benefits and pensions rise in line with wages, rather than with inflation. Maintaining fiscal control is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of leaving the most vulnerable New Zealanders behind.
Renney said “Whoever is in government after the election will be faced with the same set of choices. The test is how they respond to them. Spending cuts and tax giveaways, or maintaining the public services that we all rely upon. Treasury data today shows that we should take heart from the resilience of the economy. What we choose to use that resilience for will determine the outcomes for New Zealanders”.
The National Party has identified nearly $2.5bn of cuts to public services to pay for its tax programme, but an analysis by the CTU shows that this includes services many New Zealanders would consider front-line, says CTU Economist and Director of Policy Craig Renney. “National targets what it calls back office government bureaucracies. But the areas in scope of the cuts include courts, biosecurity, and cybersecurity. These aren’t back-office services”.
“Troublingly, the areas identified for cuts also include work on family violence and sexual violence. It includes serious fraud. It includes food safety. These are not areas that should be under the microscope for cuts. These should be areas where there is cross-party consensus that we need to invest more”.
National’s numbers come from Treasury data published at the last Budget. This has given the CTU the ability to identify what is within National’s savings programme. If we concentrate on the truly ‘non-front line’ the size of the cuts necessary to achieve National’s target rises nearly 5-fold – to 31% of spending. The reality is deeper and deeper cuts to public services, or no tax changes.
Craig Renney said “This analysis adds to the existing problems facing National’s tax plan. The cuts to public services will have to get even bigger if their overseas tax measures fail to bring in the $3.6bn necessary. National says that $2.3bn in tax cuts for landlords are necessary, but it hasn’t identified why possible cuts to front line services, such as search and rescue, are necessary”.
Craig Renney said “National should provide voters with clarity about how it will achieve such potentially deep cuts to public services. There are only a few weeks left until early voting opens, which only adds to the urgency. New Zealanders deserve to know how National will make its sums work, without cutting the essential services that are in their sights”.
Example areas within the scope of National’s savings programme:
Department
Service Description
Crown Law
The provision and supervision of a national Crown prosecution service and oversight of public prosecutions
DPMC
Supporting activities that address cyber security threats and improving cyber security resilience
DPMC
Leadership and co-ordination of the government’s response to the sequence of 2023 extreme weather events that impacted the North Island.
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence
A whole-of-government approach to prevent, address and eliminate family violence and sexual violence, as well as related services and support to Ministers.
Serious Fraud Office
Preventing, detecting, investigating and prosecuting serious financial crimes by the Serious Fraud Office.
Customs
The provision of services relating to goods crossing borders, including trade compliance, and the protection of New Zealand through interventions, investigations and enforcement.
Ministry of Primary Industries
Biosecurity monitoring and clearance programmes that manage the biosecurity risk associated with international trade and travel.
Ministry of Primary Industries
Scientific inputs and development and implementation of food related standards (including as appropriate international and joint Australia/New Zealand standards) and standards related to inputs into food production, imports, exports, new and emerging issues and the domestic market.
Ministry of Transport
The coordination of search and rescue activities as authorised by section 9(1) of Land Transport Management Act 2003.
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue undertaking investigation, audit and litigation activities
Ministry of Justice
Providing services that support the work of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court
Ministry of Social Development
The processing and administrative aspects of payment of Veterans’ Pensions and related allowances
Department of Internal Affairs
Providing effective management of New Zealand’s records of identity, authenticating official documents, and coordinating the congratulatory message service.
Auckland Council is reviewing options to sell an operating lease for the Ports to a global network terminal operator, and has commissioned consultants to seek expressions of interest.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says a key concern coming out of the report is the potential for price hikes hitting port users – then being passed on to local industry and consumers.
Mr Harrison says privatisation of operations at Ports of Auckland is estimated to hit local port users with NZ$70 million in extra costs annually.
“Any private operator in Auckland would be in a monopoly position and would seek returns on its investment, on top of the lease cost – the profit has to come from somewhere.”
He says privatised port operations in Australia have seen surcharges of over AU$100 per container imposed on port users, who have no other options.
“The failed automation experiment at Ports of Auckland shows there is no fat to be cut at the Port, and private profit through privatization would be extracted from port users and the local economy.”
Mr Harrison says the primary value of the Ports of Auckland is how it facilitates trade.
He says there is growing concern there is no clear strategy for the Ports and decision making is being driven on a short term, ad hoc basis.
“The Ports of Auckland is going through the a period of growth and stability under new leadership with improving returns, and should be left to get on with the job and not meddled with.”
The NZCTU has launched a fundraiser for those wanting to contribute to their election campaign. Since launching their campaign on Monday, the NZCTU has been inundated with support from members of the public who are concerned by what’s at stake this election.
“We’ve heard the requests from many corners asking for a way to contribute to the campaign to ensure as many people see it as possible” said President Richard Wagstaff. “We’ve been delighted by the positive reception to the ad – someone even framed the Herald cover page, they liked it so much!”
“We’ve got real momentum here and we want to keep it going. We’re grateful to everyone who is helping out with donations and sharing posts online.”
“We know Christopher Luxon is out of touch and too much risk for New Zealand in a cost-of-living crisis, clearly a lot of New Zealanders agree with us.”
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has launched its 2023 election campaign focused on why a National-led government will leave working people worse off.
“Christopher Luxon and National will take New Zealand backwards and working people will be the first to feel the pain,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“The buck stops with Christopher Luxon. He’s the leader, these are his policies. People need to take notice of that.
“We are running a strong, evidence-based campaign which sets out why Christopher Luxon and National are out of touch with what matters to the lives of working people – and out of touch with the challenges New Zealand faces.
“It’s not just us. A Newshub poll in May found nearly half of New Zealanders thought he was out of touch.
“Anyone who thinks the answer is a $10 per week tax cut for someone on the minimum wage, and savage cuts to public services, has to be seriously out of touch.”
The NZCTU said the campaign would focus on the clear evidence of what National is promising:
Fair Pay Agreements would be abolished – these provide minimum protections for workers and prevent the race to the bottom, by cutting the wages of the most vulnerable workers.
Minimum wage rises would be restrained – National promises to raise the minimum wage every year, but we know National’s track record is poor. Under the current government minimum wages rises have increased the fortnightly income of those workers by $556 since 2017.
Tax breaks for landlords and speculators would make a comeback – these fuel the property market and simply enrich property investors, making it harder to buy a first home and pushing up rents.
Public transport costs for many low-paid workers would rise, along with prescription charges.
Welfare payments would be pegged to CPI inflation, meaning that many of the lowest-income New Zealanders will fall further behind.
The public service would be gutted – National would cut $8.5 billion of spending and savage frontline services up and down the country. Services working people depend on, and jobs that employ union members.
Climate Emergency Response Fund would be axed – $2.4 billion dollars committed to reducing our climate emissions to fund National’s landlord tax breaks. This will undermine New Zealand’s ability to tackle our climate crisis.
“National’s plan under Christopher Luxon is short-sighted, it is not good economic management,” said Wagstaff.
“October’s election is the most significant election for working people in a generation. It’s essential that going into this election, people understand what is at risk for not just working people, but all New Zealanders.”
