15 October 2004

Unions Build Power and Influence to Give Strong Voice to Workers

The biggest challenge facing unions was to build the union movement’s power and influence in order to give workers a stronger voice, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

Speaking at the Police Association’s conference in Wellington, Ross Wilson said unions played a key role in empowering workers to participate in debates about the country’s economic and social future.

“It is absolutely vital that we use our collective strength to influence Government and business,” he said. “That is a legitimate role for us in democratic society.”

Unions must organise members to take part in the great debates of the day, Ross Wilson said. “That is their democratic right, and their responsibility as citizens.

“Our very existence is dependent upon democratic rights and it is our objective to build a social movement unionism which fully participates in New Zealand democratic processes and governance.”

ENDS

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New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

CONTACT NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

• Website - union.org.nz/
• Phone - +64 4 385 1334
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• Physical Address - Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wellington.

• Media Contact - huiaw@nzctu.org.nz
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• Twitter - @FairnessNZ
• Postal Address - PO Box 6645, Marion Square, Wellington 6141.

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