1 December

Rotongaro Chicken Workers’ Wages Now Well Ahead Of The Flock

FIRST union And Cobb Vantress NZ have settled with an increase of 17% in wages – about $1.75 above living wage making them the highest paid in the poultry industry. The package includes time and a quarter on weekends and 4% employer contribution to Kiwisaver and health insurance.

6 December

Timaru Port Workers Issue Seventh Strike Notice

Members of the rail and maritime transport union (RMTU) have issued their seventh strike notice after their claim for 8% pay increase was declined. The RMTU have been in Negotiations for a Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA) with Prime port Timaru and Quality Marshalling – with both employers preferring not to enter into a MECA.

9 December

Business NZ’s Move On Fair Pay Is A Desperate Plea To Save Low-wage Economy

BusinessNZ turns down key role in Fair Pay Agreements system, deciding to no longer participate in conversations.

Fred A

“The unions are putting a lot of energy into getting Fair Pay Agreements in place in a select few industries. Although Business NZ initially indicated that they would participate in a three-way discussion with Government and CTU they have had a change of heart. The indicative timeline was for the parties to reach an agreement on process and wording by end of 2022, then take it to Parliament and then have it legislated and functional early in 2023. The focus seems to be on the transport/buss, supermarkets/retail and health sectors.

This matter is likely to become highly politicised and with 2023 being an election year it may not get off the ground.”

For further articles on this:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/127229316/businessnz-turns-down-key-role-in-fair-pay-agreements-system

13 December

Waikato bus drivers all aboard for $200,000 Christmas bonus, living wage

Waikato bus drivers will have a $1000 bonus which also comes after settling their agreements for the living wage- being backdated to 1 September 2021

14 December

Healthcare workers reject DHB pay offer

More than 90% of the workers who are members of the Public Service Association (PSA) have rejected the latest offer from the DHB saying other healthcare workers have received higher offers. The PSA covers Allied, public health, scientific and technical healthcare workers