Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Labour’s policies a step change for working people

Labour’s policies a step change for working people

“After six long years of working life getting tougher in New Zealand workers have been given a real choice today with the announcement of Labour's Industrial Relations policy package,” CTU President Helen Kelly said.

“In is just 152 days up to 300,000 workers on or near the minimum wage could get a pay increase with another one following soon after early next year. In just 152 days laws that have left thousands dismissed without fair process and done nothing to lift employment standards will be gone. In just 152 days young workers will be paid the rate for the work they are doing rather than based on their age.” Kelly said.

“For those concerned about kids living in poverty, about families working every hour to make ends meet, about the future of their children’s working lives and for the thousands of workers now feeling pressured pay day to pay day, having a mechanism to lift wages is the most important of Labour's announcements to date and can be contrasted directly with Nationals employment law changes to remove tea and lunch breaks and stifle collective bargaining. The total package will finally allow workers like forestry and farm workers to have a mechanism to get a fair wage in these highly profitable industries.” Kelly said.

“Just two weeks ago we marked the first anniversary of the death of Charles Finlay in a Tokoroa forest. While the situation regarding how Charles was killed is now familiar to many Kiwis, what is little known is he was on only $16 per hour after 27 years in the bush. This is a normal wage for these workers. Charles had no access to collective bargaining and his employer unilaterally determined what to pay him. What we know about farm workers is that last year, one of the most profitable years ever, total remuneration decreased for workers in the dairy sector. The employers in these industries enjoy total control of the wage setting process for their workers and low unfair wages are the result.” Kelly said.

“These changes will mean that by start of 2014, the first 100 days, the minimum wage will have been increased and 26 paid parental leave will have been introduced.” Kelly said. “The contrast has never been so stark.”

“These policies are what workers have been calling for – we are delighted that the Labour Party have listened to working New Zealanders.” Kelly said.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.