Category: Unions

Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Petroleum industry needs to get on board with a just transition

The Council of Trade Unions said today that it was heartened by yesterday’s announcement from the Government of a just transition for those in the oil and gas industries, but disappointed that the petroleum industry appears unwilling to face facts. CTU Secretary Sam Huggard said that putting the interests of working people first in the inevitable move to a sustainable economy was more important than playing politics with their future.

“The whole point of a just transition is that actually, we know change is coming, it’s inevitable, and we are going to create high-paying sustainable jobs that match people’s skills. You’d almost think from the reaction from the oil and gas industry that the rug was being pulled out from under working people overnight. The Government and the union movement have been very clear that a transition plan, particularly for affected regions is the right way to go.”

“Rather than scaremongering about job losses, we’re ready to look to the future for regions like Taranaki and get on with investing in new technology, new industries, and new jobs for those who have been reliant on oil and gas. The fossil fuel lobby knows full well that it’s a sunset industry, and they should be more honest about what they can provide for regional economies. We would welcome them showing a bit of care for the people that work for them by talking to us about what they can do to support a just transition too.”

CTU blog from Sam Huggard on what a just transition would look like: 

www.together.org.nz/the_urgency_of_a_just_transition_for_climate

To read the CTU policy paper on a just transition:

www.union.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/JustTransition.pdf

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Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: No surprise that Kiwis value our teachers and support a better deal for them

The Council of Trade Unions said today that new research published by NZEI Te Riu Roa and the PPTA that 83 percent of Kiwis think teachers need a pay rise is in line with feedback from union membership on the value of our public services and the people working in them. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said that consistent feedback over the last decade shows New Zealanders know reinvestment in our schools, hospitals and other social capital is due to keep us healthy and happy.

“New Zealanders value a society where everyone has a fair go, starting with a good education led by skilled and appropriately resourced teachers,” he said. The monetary value we place on the people who protect our social capital through their work in education, for example, has fallen over time relative to the pay of chief executives and the cost of living. It’s playing out in difficulty attracting and retaining people to the public service, like the short staffing in classrooms around the country.”

“I think we all instinctively know that in order to create a healthy and functioning society, the kind we can be proud of, we need to treat our social institutions like public education with respect. Given the strong feeling of New Zealanders about directing better support towards teachers and children, the political mandate to repair years of education underfunding is assured.”

Link to the research: 

www.nzei.org.nz/UploadedFiles/Media/NZEI_Teachers_Report_FINAL.pdf

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Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Kiwis should be able to choose to make work better together

The Council of Trade Unions today presented to the Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, in support of giving New Zealanders back the ability to improve workplaces together. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said that the proposed legal reforms repaired and protected the freedom of working Kiwis to choose to join in unions if they wished.

“As a country we have a strong history of having each other’s back and pitching in to improve everyone’s lot. This bill means you can stand up for and support your colleagues more easily, and can make your own choices about how you want to support others at work.”

“Being able to make a fully informed choice on whether you decide to join in union with other working people, to negotiate your pay and working conditions in a collective agreement, or get help from your union if you get stuck are basic rights we need to repair,” he said.

“Most employers and working people have no problems entering into constructive relationships and respecting common decency like providing a break for a cuppa. But unfortunately, the erosion of rights at work over the last nine years has allowed a few bad employers to pressure working people with the threat of 90 day trials and punitive repercussions for working together for a better deal.”

“What we’re hearing is that the erosion of minimums has allowed cowboy operators who treat working people badly to undercut other local businesses who uphold more dignified standards. We’re saying that there should be a bottom line for everyone doing business in New Zealand -treating the people you employ with respect. We’ll stand up to anyone who says this isn’t a tradition worth cementing in law.”

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Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Trade and investment policy can and should be more inclusive

The Council of Trade Unions says that a debate on our approach to trade and investment policy is welcome and overdue.

“We want to work with Government on a new deal for trade that works better for communities and working people – not just commercial interests,” says CTU Secretary Sam Huggard.

“Working people support greater interactions with other countries, and trade. We just want international commerce agreements to serve our interests, not make our interests subservient to international commerce.

“Early agreements such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade dealt only with international goods trade and were much more limited in their impact on domestic laws and regulations.

“But that’s not what we’re dealing with now. The focus has extended considerably over the years and encroaches deeply into domestic policy making – and it is the impact on government procurement, economic development, investment, health, environmental protections and other areas that need to be addressed in any review.”

Huggard says that the CTU set out its views on this early last year, and is keen to support the development of a framework for international agreements that is pro-democracy and preserves room for governments to make meaningful decisions in the national interest.

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Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Economic diversification for Taranaki a window on our sustainable future

The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) welcomed the announcement today by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones of the Taranaki Action Plan, as an example of a more diverse and sustainable future for New Zealand’s regions. CTU Secretary Sam Huggard said the funding boost towards economic diversification including clean energy, conservation, tourism and Māori business innovation was a positive move.

“We know some regions of New Zealand have benefited for a long time from the income provided by heavily extractive industries. The people working in these industries deserve a clear plan for their future employment. By acting early with regional plans across Ministers and Departments, the Government is signalling that it will put heartland interests front and centre of an economic transition.”

“A just transition in New Zealand to a net zero emissions future will eventually affect everyone, but it won’t affect everyone equally. Minister Jones is doing the right thing by focusing first on rural economies like Taranaki to kickstart sustainable, fairer, higher-wage jobs.

“We’re looking forward to more regional action plans that local government, business, and working people can have their say on being rolled out this year,” Mr Huggard said. “We’re very keen engage working people in the process to decide what the future for our regions will look like.”

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Source: Council Of Trade Unions (CTU) – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Council of Trade Unions releases comprehensive analysis of Employment Relations Amendment Bill

The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) has today released their comprehensive submission on the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. CTU President Richard Wagstaff says the bill is a step in the right direction to restore balance in employment relations.

“This bill reintroduces civility as a minimum workplace standard, like the right to a rest and meal break, and the right to be given a reason for ending your employment,” he said.

“It also goes some way towards fulfilling all of New Zealand’s obligations under International Labour Organisation conventions.” ILO Convention 87 (‘Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention’ – one of the eight core conventions) has been ratified by 154 counties – but not New Zealand. “This bill will go a long way to catch New Zealand up with the rest of the world.”

“Importantly, the bill restores people’s freedom to choose to join their union. Robust collective bargaining laws also give voice to working people, and gives them a better shot at seeing a fair share of the wealth they produce in their wages.”

“We can make work a better experience for New Zealanders – more emotionally and financially rewarding, and provide more stability and security through permanent, decent jobs. Our analysis of this bill shows it’s a good start.”

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