We know what we’re up against
By Rachel Mackintosh, E tū National Secretary
Tēnā koutou katoa. During autumn I travelled the country for Delegate Forums and met with hundreds of the delegates you as E tū members have elected to represent you. Our delegates are the heart of E tū and they serve our members well. I saw that they have a clear focus on what E tū faces as the current Government’s decisions make the extremely wealthy richer and attack our ability to organise as a union to win better lives for working people and our communities. Our delegates are standing up and fighting back. We have a 160+ year history and we will survive the current attacks.
I acknowledge that employers are making many workers redundant around the country. The employer’s decision to shut the paper mill at Kinleith and make hundreds of workers redundant has had a direct and immediate effect on the lives of workers and whānau, and on the whole community of Tokoroa. What touches those lives touches all of us.
Employer decisions are only a part of what we face, as the Government continues its attacks on workers – undermining Te Tiriti, blocking pay equity, removing employment rights by labelling workers “contractors”, taking health and safety backwards to the time before the hard lessons of Pike River, and removing workers’ rights to fair compensation when employers behave unjustifiably … the list is long and this is just a part of it.
Despite this, E tū continues to grow, as workers see the value of standing together for a better life. We have stood together with communities to see off the Treaty Principles Bill, we have stood together with other unions at mass rallies around the motu, and we will continue to take action, from joining new members up at work, to collective bargaining, to having a say in the future of the country.
For all members, the fight back continues. Look out for more mass meetings as we gather in Biennial Membership Meetings in September. Look out for ways to take part in a nationwide day of action for pay equity on 20 September, and take every-day acts of solidarity at work and beyond.
Kia kaha tātou.
Building Power Together
By Muriel Tunoho, E tū President
I’ve been a Living Wage leader and activist since the Living Wsge Movement was formed in 2012.
I’m proud that E tū is an accredited Living Wage Employer and a foundation member of the Living Wage Movement Āotearoa. We can look back with pride at over a decade’s work with other unions, community organisations, and faith groups to lift thousands of cleaners, security guards, catering workers, and many more out of poverty on to the Living Wage. For some of these workers, it has meant not having to work multiple jobs just to earn enough to live with dignity.
E tū is about to go into bargaining at Resene Paints where we have some new and awesome delegates. The Living Wage Movement has rallied and built a strong community campaign to support these workers demanding a Living Wage. We will win!
The following Councils are all accredited Living Wage Employers: Wellington City Council and Regional Council, Hutt and Porirua City Councils, Kapiti District Council, Auckland City Council, Christchurch City Council and Regional Council, and Dunedin City Council. In my local communities, we are hosting Living Wage election forums in the Hutt and Wellington calling on all Mayoral and Councillor candidates to value their workforce and continue with their Living Wage accreditation.
E tū can’t fight these attacks against workers’ rights, poverty, and the rising cost of living alone or in isolation. Lyndy McIntyre wrote in her book Power to Win, “The quest for the power to win just and decent pay rates is as necessary as it was in 2012. As long as thousands of workers and their families still bear the brunt of low wages, this idea, this movement has work to do.”
Cross-union solidarity
By Gadiel Asiata, E tū President
My recent experience has renewed my determination to continue building power within our union and across the wider union movement.
I had the privilege of attending the Dairy Workers Union (DWU) Biennial Conference alongside our National Secretary, Rachel Mackintosh. Building power across different unions is essential in today’s climate, as working people and their families are under increasing attack under this hostile Government. Maintaining relationships allows us to create a strong movement with our fellow unions.
For me personally, being at the conference was a moment of deep reflection and reconnection. I was reminded of the union I started in 25 years ago, right out of school: The DWU is an organisation that played a crucial role in shaping my journey as a working person and a union advocate.
Being there also gave us the opportunity to share what our union stands for: the values of fairness, dignity, and collective strength. We highlighted the campaigns we are running, emphasising the importance of fairness in wages, safe working conditions, and the protection of workers’ rights.
In sharing experiences with DWU delegates and recognising our common ground, the conference was a reminder that collective action and solidarity are our greatest tools in resisting the attacks from our Government. By uniting across unions, we can amplify our voice, influence policy, and create real change that benefits workers and their families.
Working people deserve a voice, and together, we can ensure that voice is heard loud and clear.