Kia ora koutou, greetings all E tū members
Now that we’ve settled into 2023, it’s a good time to take stock. While the Covid-19 pandemic still creates challenges, we are getting used to a kind of ‘new normal’. Aucklanders were hit hard by a serious storm, and the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle is still a huge challenge for some of our communities, highlighting again the importance of good infrastructure and emergency preparedness. We also have a new Prime Minister.
Regardless of any new changes and challenges, one thing remains constant – E tū members continue to build our collective power, fighting for better lives for ourselves, our families, our communities, and future generations to come.
I am so proud of what we have all been able to achieve despite serious headwinds, and I’m pleased that E tū has maintained strong representation and support for all our members throughout.
Membership fee update for 2023
It’s E tū policy that our membership fees increase each year on 1 April in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous year. This policy was voted on by members when E tū was first established.
As the CPI increase for the year to December 2022 is 7.2%, our fees will increase by this amount from 1 April 2023.
The CPI, which measures inflation (the general increase in prices of goods and services) for New Zealand households is higher this year than recent years due to rises in prices for housing, food, transport, and other goods and services. The costs of operating E tū to support our members have increased by the same percentage and we must meet those costs.
But since E tū was formed, on average, we’ve negotiated wage increases that have been more than the average annual increases to the CPI. That’s what happens when we stand together and fight for what we deserve – we win.
How your fees will change
The biggest increase to fees will be by $0.63 per week.
The smallest increase to fees is $0.30 per week.
| Number of hours you work per week | Current fee | New fee | Increase per week |
| 35+ hours per week | $8.57 | $9.20 | $0.63 |
| 20 to 34 hours per week | $6.85 | $7.35 | $0.50 |
| Under 20 hours per week | $4.30 | $4.60 | $0.30 |
| Freelance journalist fee | $4.30 | $4.60 | $0.30 |
How come my fees are going up by a bigger percentage than last year?
In all the years since E tū was established, there has mostly been very low inflation so therefore only a small fee adjustment each year. Our fee adjustment last year was 5.9%, and inflation is now higher around the globe due to the continued Covid recovery, the war in Ukraine, and other global supply chain issues.
Because of inflation, E tū is having to cope with increased operational costs to support members. Some costs, for example, petrol, are now significantly higher for us, but we must meet those costs to ensure our members get the best possible representation and support.
How does E tū use your membership fees?
The increase will help us, as a union, to meet our basic costs so that we can continue to support you – our members.
It also goes towards our work in advocacy, organising, and campaigning to keep transforming workplaces across the country.
Your fees enable our whole movement to win big and win often!
This includes things like:
- negotiating regular collective pay increases
- protecting members’ jobs
- organising the Living Wage for our lowest-paid workers
- representing members who face unfair treatment at work
- campaigning for meaningful political change.
To be frank, these last few years have created some tremendous challenges for our union and members. However, with careful financial management and strict accountability, we are well placed to continue to lead the way to rebuild better conditions for all workers.
E tū member benefits
Along with everything else that comes as part of your membership, E tū also offers a range of discounts specially for members.
Big brand names and services like PB Tech, Vodafone, Super Advice, Event Cinemas, Specsavers, Avis and Budget rentals are in there.
CLICK HERE to see more!
Solidarity Membership option
We also offer a special membership option for workers who want to top up their membership fee to support our important work. Many of our new members also become Solidarity Members, and I want to thank everyone who has taken that step to help.
Solidarity Membership is also great for people who don’t necessarily need access to our workplace organising but want to support and stay in touch with the union. This could be for you if you’re retired, a student, a community leader, or looking for work and want support but are not a full member of E tū.
E tū Solidarity Membership options start from only $2 per week.
CLICK HERE to learn more about E tū Solidarity.
Making change in 2023
It will be another big year for E tū. We will be negotiating the first Fair Pay Agreements for some of our lowest paid members. We will keep building on our Just Transition work to ensure that workers don’t bear the full brunt of changes in our industries that are beyond their control. We will campaign to elect a worker-friendly Government in the General Election in October, to lock in the policy gains we’ve already had, and fight for even more improvements.
And of course, we’ll be working with each and every E tū member to win the best pay and conditions we can, as well as provide support and representation whenever it is needed.
While we don’t know what new surprises 2023 has in store for us, I am certain that we’ll stand together to rise to new challenges, keeping our values front and centre. We’re union members – that’s just what we do.
Thank you again for being an E tū member.
In solidarity,
Bill Newson
E tū National Secretary