ITP MECA dispute back in talks

During the student mid-semester break last fortnight some of the ITP MECA negotiating team met informally with a small group of Chief Executive and HR reps from the” six polytechnics to discuss possible ways ahead. Coming out of that meeting was a commitment to meet again this week more formally, and to look at the possibilities of mediation.”  A day has not been finalised, but it will be during this week. Thus there will be no further industrial action until after the meeting.”  You can expect a further update as soon as possible after that meeting.

Less than 2 weeks until Labour Day

Over the next few days most TEU branches should receive a parcel collection of Labour Day posters promoting Labour Day, workers and unions. Please distribute these on your worksites. TEU has also set up a” Labour Day website at www.labourday.org.nz with some basic info about Labour Day and a chance to win one of ten copies of the book Samuel Parnell- A Legacy by our very own Paul Corliss (Thanks Paul!).”  It’s a fascinating read about the 8 hour day, Labour Day and time off.”  All you need to do to win your copy is go to http://www.labourday.org.nz/win.html then tell us what day you would declare a public holiday if you could (and why). Then you are in the draw. The website also has PDF copies of the posters and a web badge promoting Labour Day that you can add to your own website or blog if you want.

Support the locked out Open Country Cheese workers

Open Country Cheese locked out its Waikato workers for six weeks for seeking a collective agreement with basic redundancy and transfer of undertakings protection. After having the employment court rule the lockout illegal. Open Country Cheese then suspended 36 of the workers instead. The company has also started systematically sacking leaders of the unionised workers on spurious grounds to try to break them.

Your support is vital to help the locked out workers achieve a collective employment agreement. The account is with the BNZ and named “Solidarity Fund”, acc no:” 02 0320 0082084 026, or you” can download the bank direct payment form” here. You can also read more about the dispute at The Standard.