E tū is advocating for a ‘Just Transition’ for more than 700 postal workers in the wake of a major redundancy proposal.
On Tuesday, New Zealand Post announced plans to reduce its mail processing and delivery operations in Auckland and Christchurch over the next five years.
The proposal affects around 750 workers.
E tū has signed a Just Transition agreement with the company to support and guide E tū members in their transition to new work.
Negotiation Specialist Joe Gallagher says while the proposal is not unexpected in the face of declining global mail rates, a Just Transition is about making sure there is more than “one tool in the toolbox” to assist members.
“A Just Transition process is about workers being treated with fairness, equity, and transparency, so they can focus on things like transferring their skills to other kinds of work, or retraining and upskilling as they explore different options for their futures,” he says.
“E tū strongly supports its members as they go through this difficult time, and we will be advocating for workers to have the best opportunities possible to assist them through the transition period.”
The union also ran a Just Transition process to support New Zealand Post members in Manawatū who lost their jobs when their mail processing centre closed in March.
“Perfect,” “wonderful,” “grateful,” and “awesome,” are just some of the words that Te Whatu Ora members are using to describe how they feel after organising to win for a special shoe voucher, which means they can pick out their own work shoes.
For those working as orderlies and cleaners at the hospital, the change has put a smile on everyone’s faces, an E tū delegate Barbara says.
Members working in these services roles at Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau and Waitematā were previously provided with a pair of shoes by Te Whatu Ora – even though there was a clause in their collective agreement around having a shoe voucher so they could go out and buy their own.
So, when it came to light that many members were resorting to buying their own shoes as they were so uncomfortable, Te Whatu Ora delegates organised a survey to see how widespread the problem was.
After 150 responses to their shoe survey, it became clear that the issue was urgent, and management acted quickly.
Now members have the choice of between five and nine different shoe styles and pay for them using a voucher. They also have the option of spending the remainder of the voucher on socks if there’s anything left over.
Barbara says, “Members are really rapt. It’s put a smile on everyone’s faces – they really appreciate what they’ve got, which is so much better than before.
“Workers do beat the feet a lot during their shifts, especially the orderlies. They’re grateful for the work that’s been done by the union and across the board.”
Government gives green light for security guards’ FPA
“Like a dream come true” is how security guard and E tū FPA campaigner Rosey Ngakopu described the moment she heard that security guards across Aotearoa New Zealand will now be able to start bargaining for their first-ever Fair Pay Agreement (FPA).
At the end of May, the Government gave the green light to members’ application to negotiate an FPA for security guards
afterthousands of workers signed on to initiate it. This is huge for E tū members who have campaigned for years to get FPAs into law and will now be able to bargain with an employer representative to put down minimum standards and conditions for all security guards. CLICK HERE to see our members’ FPA journey from start to finish.
E tū members put hard questions to MPs
Ka pai to our members in Auckland and Wellington who put important questions about their industry issues to our Government at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) Government Forum, where workers and ministers came together for an evening of kōrero and workshops last week.
Members asked ministers about a range of vital issues, including pay equity, the cost of living, Just Transition, and the Living Wage in the public sector – a unique opportunity to talk directly to ministers about what matters.
The forum also highlighted the importance of voting at this year’s General Election, in order to keep the gains we’ve won – like Fair Pay Agreements and to get our equal pay settlement for care and support workers finalised. Check out some of our snaps from the night HERE.
Your organising wins
Visy Glass
In March, Visy Glass members settled their latest collective agreement, after almost a year of bargaining. Bargaining at Visy Glass is done by the delegate team, with the support of a union organiser.
By negotiating this way, it means everyone around the table has a better understanding of what’s going on and the jobs that members do, says delegate Gerard Peters. “Even though it might be a bit scary, because you’re talking to management and you have to work with them day in and day out, you get to know each other better.”
Te Whatu Ora service workers
Since mid-May, Te Whatu Ora members working as orderlies and cleaners at Counties Manukau and Waitematā now have access to shoe vouchers, so they can buy their own shoes and choose from a bigger range than was previously supplied.
This win comes after a huge organising effort by delegates, including a survey.
More than 700 delegates around the country came together for 25 Delegate Forums over the last couple of months.
Alongside our campaigns for a Just Transition and equal pay, a big focus for the forums was the union wins at stake in the General Election on October 23, such as Fair Pay Agreements law.
If you haven’t yet pledged to vote in this year’s election, take the pledge now! We’ve also got posters you can put up in your workplaces to get the word out about how important it is to make your voice heard. If you’d like posters for your workplace, email communications@etu.nz and we’ll get some out to you.
NZ Steel Mill moving on climate
E tū delegates are calling for a Just Transition at New Zealand Steel. In the first plan of its kind, the Government is contributing up to $140 million to the company’s mill in Glenbrook so it can purchase an electric furnace and make 50% of its steel from recycling scrap.
Estimated to reduce carbon emissions by the same amount as taking all the passenger cars in Christchurch off the road, E tū delegate Lester Udy says the move signals “exciting times” ahead for industry.
However, both Lester and E tū are clear that any changes to workers’ jobs means that they’ll need a Just Transition, a chance to up skill or transition without losing pay or conditions. CLICK HERE to read more.
E tū and the New Zealand Security Association are excited to learn that the bargaining process for a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for security workers can now begin, now workers’ initiation signatures have been approved by the Government.
E tū is the union for security guards and initiated for an FPA for this group of workers in March, with more than 1,000 signing on to start the initiation process for an agreement.
Union members have led the way in advocating for FPA legislation in a multi-year campaign to see workers such as security guards and cleaners protected by minimum standards around pay and working conditions.
E tū delegate and security guard Rosey Ngakopu says it’s been a long journey, but she can’t wait for the next stage to begin.
“Our dream of an FPA will now become a reality,” she says.
“We want to reset the security industry, so let’s get into the conversation to create and build a better security industry for the future.”
Gary Morrison, CEO of the New Zealand Security Association, says the association and the union have common goals regarding advancing the interest of employees in the industry, and it looks forward to being the Employer Association representing security employers.
“We will work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for the security industry, including our employees, our customers, and security providers.
“In particular, we see opportunities to set standards for training, upskilling, and the health and safety of our workers,” says Gary.
E tū’s Assistant National Secretary Annie Newman says E tū is thrilled that bargaining can now begin.
“It’s wonderful that we’re now able to use this exciting new mechanism – Fair Pay Agreements – to bargain across the whole of the security occupational group for better terms and conditions for all workers,” she says.
“We look forward to working alongside NZSA to improve the lives of all security guards in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as ensuring workers have a strong voice at the bargaining table.”
E tū’s hospitality workers will also benefit from an FPA, which has also been approved for bargaining to start.
E tū and members working at the New Zealand Steel mill in Glenbrook have welcomed the Government’s offer to contribute funding for a new electric furnace to halve coal use at the site.
On Sunday, the Government announced it would be partially funding up to $140 million to reduce carbon emissions at Glenbrook, by replacing an existing steelmaking furnace and two of its four coal-fuelled furnaces with the electric one.
It means half of the steel produced at the site would be made using electricity to recycle scrap metal, rather than producing new steel using coal and iron sands.
Site delegate Lester Udy says the announcement signals “exciting times” for workers and the company.
“New Zealand Steel contributes a lot to our communities and the area in general,” he says.
“Covid illustrated the importance of having industry in New Zealand, and a lot of other businesses benefit from the fact that we produce our own steel here.
Lester says the move represents a solid strategy for reducing carbon emissions in the steel industry and is a positive step for all industry. But workers still need to be at the forefront, he says.
“The transition also needs to be a Just Transition for workers. It’s about finding new and different ways of production, while at the same time making sure workers keep their jobs.”
E tū Negotiation Specialist Joe Gallagher says the announcement is “huge” for the workforce and local community.
“Jobs at the Glenbrook steel mill are high value jobs and critical to the community, so it’s really important that we support steel made in here in Aotearoa.
“The Government’s announcement is about protecting our local steel-making industry for the future by assisting in the transition to lower carbon steel production.
“It means that we’ll keep business here, rather than pushing it offshore.”
Joe says the funding could be a blueprint for other industries to transform to a low carbon model, which will mean they remain viable as the businesses transform in response to climate change.
However, he says a Just Transition for workers will be needed, including reskilling or upskilling, so they are able to take on the new roles required as technology at the site changes.
This also includes working with suppliers and other businesses who will inevitably be affected.
“We need to work with Government, the company, and workers, to create a Just Transition process that can be modified and adapted for other industries, so we are not able to only protect valuable industry but workers and their communities as well.”
Just after Easter, our annual Delegate Forums started around the country – the first time we’ve been able to hold them face to face for more than three years!
Our Delegate Forums are open to all E tū delegates and are a chance to catch up on everything that’s been going on at E tū, especially our major campaigns.
This year, we’ve talked about things like Fair Pay Agreements for security guards and cleaners, pay equity for care and support workers, and a Just Transition for all members affected by changes in industry due to climate change and technology.
From ‘stuff all’ to good stuff – your organising wins
Stuff members who work as journalists have now seen the fruits of their hard strike mahi last year with a decent pay rise of 6.8% and the reintroduction of a stepped pay scale. It’s the first time in years journalists have gone on strike, and it all paid off!
McCallum Industries members working at a food manufacturing plant in Henderson, Auckland, got a $1.60 an hour pay boost and 7.2% on allowances in their most recent collective agreement signed in March.
Members at Cordis Hotel have won some great new clauses in their collective, including a new family violence clause and one that means new employees need to be shown their collective and how to join the union. All current members are now paid at the 2022/23 Living Wage rate as a minimum, backpaid to February.
A strike notice by Oji Fibre members in Penrose resulted their company filing a lockout notice but was successfully resolved with mediation and a good outcome for members with 6% in their next one-year collective agreement.
First FPAs for security guards and cleaners on the way
In March and April, security guards and cleaners sent through thousands of signatures to start the ball rolling for their Fair Pay Agreements. News about our FPAs has also made it around the world!
After the Fair Pay Agreements law was passed in October 2022, E tū members campaigned for months, encouraging workers to sign a document saying they wanted to initiate to begin bargaining an FPA.
Each group needed to collect more than 1000 signatures from their fellow security guards and cleaners.
Now these have been sent through to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), the signatures will be checked and verified. Then the next stage of the process can begin – drawing up claims to take to the bargaining table!
What’s an FPA?
A Fair Pay Agreement is an agreement that is bargained by unions (representing workers) and employer representatives to set minimum standards across occupations or industries, for example, security or cleaning.
For workers, it means that no matter which company they work for, they’ll all have the same minimum pay, conditions, health and safety requirements, and whatever else we are able to negotiate.
Other unions have so far filed for an FPA for bus drivers and hospitality workers. But there’s also potential for FPAs to benefit many other occupations and industries in future.
Pay equity promise for care and support workers
In April, pay equity meetings for E tū, PSA, and NZNO members kicked off around the country to update members about their pay equity claim, which will benefit all workers once it’s settled.
In July 2022, the unions filed a pay equity claim against 15 employers across the sector to assess whether the current pay rates for care and support workers are fair.
The claim compares their jobs with a job of similar responsibility and skill done by workers in male-dominated industries, as care and support workers have long been undervalued and underpaid.
The last pay equity claim, which was settled in 2017, led to historic pay rises of up to 50% which transformed the lives of our members.
Election 2023: Real change starts with us
The election is coming around fast! We want to make sure issues for our members heard, and a big part of this is encouraging our members to vote.
This year we’ve prepared a simple pledge form for you and your whānau to commit to voting. Click here to take the pledge!
Welcoming new E tū members
To strengthen our union and create active leaders, E tū is running online welcome meetings for our new members around every six weeks.
On each call, we also have organisers, E tū leaders, and other members of the E tū team on hand to answer your questions and provide inspiration.
E tū cleaner Iunisi Fainga’anuku talked about the new rate on PMN. You can listen here.
Print this newsletter for your noticeboard
We know not all our members communicate by email – so why not print this newsletter out for your union noticeboard?
Click on ‘View this email in your browser’ at the top of the email.
Once in the new screen, then right click and select ‘Print’.
We’ve also got some fresh new E tū noticeboard headers, so you can create a dedicated space for everything union. If you’d like some for your workspace, please contact your delegate or organiser.
Upcoming events
Unions Auckland May Day event
Come and hear speakers from unions around Auckland (including E tū’s very own Ines Mitgutsch) and live music to celebrate and recognise May Day this evening.
WHEN: Monday 1 May WHERE:Whammy Bar & Wine Cellar, 183 Karangahape Rd, Auckland TIME:7pm COST:Optional koha, all proceeds go to the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa
Got news to share?
It’s always great to hear from our members and about any news in the community that might be helpful for others.
A “Just Transition” is the aim for E tū members working at Webstar Masterton who will lose their jobs if the plant shuts next year.
On Wednesday, Webstar, which is part of the Blue Star Print Group, announced its proposal to close its Masterston plant in early 2024.
More than 20 E tū members will be affected if the proposal goes ahead. The consultation period runs until Tuesday.
E tū Negotiation Specialist Joe Gallagher says members are “shocked but not surprised”.
“Webstar’s closure proposal is a symptom of the wider decline in print advertising and the rising costs around power, freight, and paper.”
Joe says E tū will be working hard to support members and making sure a Just Transition plan is put in place.
“A Just Transition plan would ideally see a range of support available to assist members as they prepare to move on.
“It would ease some of the stress of finding another job or moving into study to upskill for other types of work.”
Just Transition is the idea that workers should not bear the brunt of changes in the labour market, such as those in response to technological and climate change.
Cleaners are the latest group of workers from E tū to initiate for their Fair Pay Agreement.
Since the Fair Pay Agreements Bill was passed in October 2022, more than 1000 cleaners across Aotearoa New Zealand have put their signature forward in support of a Fair Pay Agreement.
E tū, the largest private sector union in the country, will send the initiation document on their behalf to the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) on Tuesday.
A Fair Pay Agreement sets minimum pay and conditions for workers across whole industries or occupations by way of bargaining between unions and employer representatives.
So far E tū members in both security and cleaning have initiated for a Fair Pay Agreement.
An E tū leader and cleaner Iunisi Fainga’anuku says the day brings lots of emotion.
“I’m overjoyed and emotional. It’s like a dream come true. Fair Pay Agreements are very important, not just to me but to my whole family, because it means I’ll be able to work fewer hours and get more time to spend with my kids.
“It will also help cleaners to get health and safety training. We work with lots of different chemicals, and we worry that they might be harmful to our health.”
Assistant National Secretary at E tū Annie Newman says a Fair Pay Agreement for workers in the cleaning industry is a huge achievement, as it will help to fix a number of issues.
“Pay is one of the number one issues for cleaners, as many work two or three jobs to get by. The first thing that a Fair Pay Agreement will address is securing base rates of pay for cleaners, no matter which employer they work for.
“This will really help to prevent employers from undercutting each other to win work contracts, which usually sees workers’ wages lowered to make the company more competitive.
“It will also mean workers’ pay rates won’t be affected if they transfer to a new cleaning company when a cleaning contract changes hands.”
Annie says members in cleaning often want more training and development, so they can see a career pathway in the industry with progressive pay rates and opportunities.
“Cleaning is an essential job and cleaners are essential workers. As we have seen through the pandemic, workers everywhere deserve respect, recognition, and dignity, and Fair Pay Agreements are a way of achieving that.”
E tū is celebrating the announcement of the new Living Wage rate and the positive difference that it will make to workers’ lives and to those of their whānau.
On Monday, the new Living Wage rate of $26 was announced for 2023/24, which represents an increase of almost 10% on the previous rate after its five-yearly review.
The rate change will take effect from 1 September.
Auckland City Council cleaner and E tū member Menbere Woldemeske says she is so excited to hear the news.
“This is going to help my family a lot to pay the rent, electricity, and grocery shopping, as the cost of living is so high now.
“It also means I can help my community and the church that have always been supporting us. Then, send some money home to support my elderly parents.”
Annie Newman, an E tū Assistant National Secretary, says the new Living Wage rate is a much-needed step forward for workers and their families, particularly with the current cost of living.
“This current rate increase means low-paid workers will be more able to live with dignity and participate in their communities, without having to work constantly to make ends meet.
“We also know that when workers are not living in financially precarious situations all the time, they are more able to support their children and their families as they can spend time with them and can better afford what they need to live and be active in society.
“The Living Wage is not just about lifting individual workers out of poverty. It’s about lifting the wellbeing of entire communities.”