Our election campaign is on!
Early voting opened on Monday, and E tū is campaigning hard for a worker-friendly, Labour-led Government.
We kicked off our campaign at our official election launch in Māngere last month, where Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and the Green Party reaffirmed their commitments to policies that benefit workers.
At the event, the PM also launched the party’s workplace relations policy, which includes continued regular increases to the minimum wage, paying the Living Wage to employees and contracted workers across the education and health sectors, and removing the discriminatory practice of youth and training rates.
Click here to read Labour’s 2023 workplace relations policies.
Early voting now open
You can vote anytime between now and Election Day, Saturday 14 October.
Vote early and ensure your voice is heard! The lines on Election Day can get long, and plans can change, so vote early so it’s at your convenience.
If you need any help with the voting process, email support@etu.nz or phone 0800 1 UNION (0800 186 466) and a union organiser can help you get sorted.
Election policies matter
Now that the election campaign is in full swing, the parties have announced their full list of commitments.
In the table above, you can see the stark contrast between a progressive and ambitious Labour-led Government, and a National-led Government that seems to be about supporting business and the wealthy few.
It’s clear to see where each party sits in relation to worker-friendly policies like saving Fair Pay Agreements and extending free dental care. CLICK HERE to read the full Labour Party Manifesto!
All hands on deck to get out the vote!
With less than two weeks to go until Election Day, the most important thing we can all do is make sure everyone we know is voting for a progressive, Labour-led Government.
Historically, we have seen that people who don’t vote tend to be lower paid, younger, or in ethnic minorities – just some of the communities that most need effective representatives in Parliament and progressive policy.
Get out and vote yourself, but give yourself the challenge of talking to five whānau members, friends, or workmates who might not vote or might be voting for the first time, and encourage them to ensure their voice is heard.
E tū is also running phone banks, with members calling each other to talk about the election. If you’re interested in getting involved with this or other election campaign activities, please email campaigns@etu.nz to sign up.
Final week of membership meetings
Thousands of E tū members across Aotearoa turned out for their BMM or Biennial Membership Meeting – a special membership meeting that only takes place once every two years.
At the meetings, we discussed the direction of the union, and members who attended were able to vote for the people that will represent you on our National Executive for the next two-year team.
If you came to a BMM, we would love your feedback! Click the button below to take our quick two-minute survey.
Labour, Greens commit to Living Wage for health and education
On Friday, E tū members, community, and faith-based groups came together for the Living Wage Forums in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
We heard from community and political leaders, with Labour and the Greens committing to extending the Living Wage to healthcare and education workers if they form the next government.
It was also the first time that we held a ‘hybrid’ forum, with live streaming between all three locations so each forum had the chance to hear from speakers in all three cities.
Fisher & Paykel members take action!
Following the breakdown of collective agreement negotiations, Fisher & Paykel members took it in turns to picket before and after their shifts this week.
Members are angry that the company came directly to them with proposed changes to their collective agreement, rather than giving the union the opportunity to do so.
Changes the employer is demanding include creating Saturday and Sunday shifts at normal pay, introducing flexible shift times, and removing the need for union approval around hiring part-time employees.
Delegate Chris Burton says it’s been more than 20 years since members took industrial action and they are feeling upset at the proposals.
“The company wants to jump the gun and go straight to the members. They say it’s their right to communicate but we said, ‘This is not the way we want to do it.’”
Open letter to launch for pay equity for care and support workers
E tū and other unions have spent the last 18 months working on a pay equity process that will resolve the issue of underpayment once and for all for the 65,000 workers across the country who do care and support mahi.
If you work in care and support, you should have had an opportunity to attend a meeting about this over the last few weeks. If not, look out for more invites coming soon.
We have nearly achieved pay equity but we need a final push. We’ll be posting an open letter later on this week – so keep an eye out on social media to sign and share.
We also need to ensure we re-elect a government that is committed to real pay equity.
New members’ meeting in October
Have you recently joined E tū? Come along to a new member welcome meeting and learn about your union and tools to support you.
All meetings take place on Zoom. Click on the link to register for a time that suits!
WHEN: Wednesday 11 October
TIME: 10am-11am:
TIME: 7pm-8pm:
Helpful election information
Here are some links that will help you navigate the election and ensure you’re well informed when making your choices at the voting booth!
Enrol to vote, check your details, or update them
Read all of the parties’ policies in one place at policy.nz
Key information about the election from the Electoral Commission
Upcoming events
Early voting opens: Monday 2 October
Labour Party, virtual town hall, Wednesday 4 October, 7pm. Register here!
Labour Party, virtual town hall (kids invited!) Thursday October, 10am. Register here!
World Mental Health Day: Tuesday 10 October
National Coming Out Day: Wednesday 11 October
Election Day: Saturday 14 October
Got news to share?
Get in touch with us at communications@etu.nz – we’d love to hear your stories!
