CTU: Wages didn’t keep up with productivity

CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg Workers have been short changed by up to one sixth of the wages they should have earned as a result of employers not sharing the benefits of productivity growth, the Council of Trade Unions said today. A study released today by the Productivity Commission shows that real wages fell significantly behind productivity growth in a large part of the economy between 1978 and 2010. This resulted in wages and salaries, and labour income of self-employed people getting a falling share of the income the economy generates (the labour income share).

CTU will not engage in Governments sham consultation process on Terrorist Bill

Media release

CTU will not engage in Governments sham consultation process on Terrorist Bill

Today the CTU has sent a letter to Prime Minister John Key articulating serious concerns about both the content and the rushed process the Government has clearly signalled it intends to follow to progress the Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill into law and urging him to follow the proper process in considering this legislation.

“Rushing this legislation through is not appropriate or proper. We will not participate in a sham consultation process or take for ourselves the “luxury” of the chance to be heard at the select committee on the basis of some dubious selection criteria made by those to whom the Bill grants power while other legitimately interested citizens and groups are denied that opportunity,” CTU President, Helen Kelly said.

“There has been no evidence presented at all from the Prime Minister that such urgency is needed. Given the severe and unique nature of the powers being sought, quite the opposite is appropriate and a reasonable period of time should be made available for the public to have a say on this legislation,” Kelly said.

“The Bill provides authority for the SIS to trespass onto private property in order to conduct covert surveillance (such as installing video cameras and listening devices). These powers will compromise citizens’ right to avoid unreasonable search and seizure and to privacy. The Bill also extends the ability of the SIS to conduct warrantless surveillance for 48 hours in situations where it would be impracticable to get a warrant and it is believed that information may be lost. Warrantless surveillance as fundamentally irreconcilable with expectations of acceptable government behaviour in a free and open society. The only public accountability for the use of this power is that the SIS must note the number of times this power is used in their annual report,” Kelly said.

ENDS

View the letter here http://union.org.nz/news/2014/ctu-will-not-engage-governments-sham-consultation-process-terrorist-bill

For further comment, please contact:

Helen Kelly, President, CTU

021 776 741

Huia Welton | Communications & Campaigns Advisor | New Zealand Council of Trade Unions – Te Kauae Kaimahi

ph: +64 4 802 3817 | cell: +64 021 524 502 |

www.facebook.com/fairness.at.work | www.union.org.nz | Follow us on twitter: @fairnessNZ

Unions – we’re about Fairness

Taxes

It doesn’t have to be like this (6/10)

Income gap

It doesn’t have to be like this (5/10)

Worksafe must learn lessons – forestry Industry cannot self-regulate

helen kelly blue

eight col forestry

Council of Trade Unions Media release

14 August 2014

“The CTU does not support Worksafe’s submission to the independent Forestry Review Panel that there can be an “industry led” approach to addressing the serious issues workers in the sector are facing.” CTU President, Helen Kelly said.

“We believe Worksafe should learn by experience of its predecessors where industry led initiatives have not worked. In March 2011 MBIE developed a number of Sector Action Plans in our most dangerous industries (Construction, Agriculture, Forestry, Manufacturing and Fishing). They ran until 2013 and were intended to result in a significant reduction in injuries in these sectors. They were industry driven in industries that had shown a lack of capacity to deal with the safety issues. Four of these had an “industry lead” Safety Council structure with only manufacturing having worker representation. In forestry the FOA health and safety committee took on this role. In construction a specific Construction Safety Council was the lead industry body and similarly in Agriculture (Agriculture Health and Safety Council). In Fishing, Maritime NZ took a different approach and led the Safety Council initiative (Fishsafe) The only industry where serious harm injuries notably reduced was fishing. In others the figures increased.” Kelly said.

High Unemployment

It doesn’t have to be like this (4/10)

Worker’s rights: Why insecure work exists and why it’s a problem

It doesn’t have to be like this (3/10)

NZ’s low wage economy

It doesn’t have to be like this (2/10)

Change the Government to improve jobs and wages

Media release

Change the Government to improve jobs and wages

“The wage and employment statistics out today, the last before the election, show how the Government has failed workers over its two terms,” says CTU President, Helen Kelly. “Unemployment has at last fallen below 6% but at 5.6% and 137,000 people, it is still far higher than the 3.5% in December 2007 – so we know we can and should do much better. Despite the luck of booming dairy sales (now running out) and lots of jobs created for the Canterbury rebuild, which account for half of the growth in employment during the year, the Government has created a record of 20 quarters – five years – with unemployment higher than Australia. We usually have lower unemployment than Australia: over two-thirds of the time since 1986.” Kelly said. “This is the first quarter to end that appalling record, but reflects temporary factors, not a permanent turn around in jobs. On top of the 137,000 unemployed are 104,500 looking for work but not officially classified as unemployed – up from 97,200 a year ago. The number of part-time workers wanting more hours has risen from 87,500 to 98,200 over the year.” Kelly said.

Message from CTU President Helen Kelly

Dear Mike There’s only 43 days until September 3, when voting in the General Election starts. The last day to vote is September 20.Thanks heaps for signing up to support the Get Out and Vote campaign. It’s so important people turn out to vote this election. Every vote counts towards a healthier democracy and a better life for working New Zealanders. Whether you have pledged to vote, or perhaps pledged to offer your help with the campaign, every one can help. We’re going to be in touch about things you can do during the voting period 3-20 September to help to get people out to vote. Here are some important and easy things that you can do right now. Talk to your family, friends and workmates about their plan for voting. You can order free materials here to help you with this – including voter pledge cards. You can also sign people straight on to the Get Out and Vote campaign website. When you’ve got the voter pledge cards signed, send them back to us. Explain to people that we are collecting their information so we can get back in touch later on to work with them to make a plan for when and where they’ll vote. If they want to volunteer, that’s even better! Like the Get Out and Vote Facebook page, and invite others too: https://www.facebook.com/getoutandvoteNZ Please double check that the information we have for you is correct. Having the right information for you will save our volunteers time when we really get busy, so please take a moment now to check by clicking on this link. Let’s Get Out and Vote! Warm regards Helen Kelly President New Zealand Council of Trade Unions http://www.getoutandvote.org.nz/ Authorised by: Helen Kelly, NZCTU, Level 7, 178 Willis St, Wellington Get Out and Vote · New Zealand You can also keep up with Let’s Get Out and Vote on Twitter or Facebook. Created with NationBuilder, the essential toolkit for leaders.