CTU welcomes Greens' commitment to unions

Sunday, 30 January 2011, 2:42 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

CTU welcomes Greens' commitment to unions and good employment law

CTU President Helen Kelly today welcomed the commitment by the Greens to recognising the importance of unions, a fair minimum wage, and good employment law. In his speech to the Greens conference today, co-leader Russel Norman acknowledged that "unions are central to economic success". He reiterated Green support for an increase in the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour, which unions have been campaigning for.

"We also welcome the party's opposition to the Government's sell-out by weakening our labour laws."

"The Greens can obviously see the importance of good industrial law in reversing the huge increases in inequality that have grown up in New Zealand since the 1980s and in creating a fair society with opportunities for all. A fair wage system and a supportive social welfare system are vital to that."

"There are many other parts of the Greens' programme that we support, including opposition to privatisation and increased foreign ownership, a capital gains tax exempting the primary home, and investment in clean technology," said Kelly. "We look forward to seeing the details of their election programme."

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.

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