Issues
Speak Up for Education
In recent years funding has fallen, institutions have been consistently reorganised so they are in a constant state of flux, students have been excluded from decision-making, community representatives lost their say in governing their local tertiary institutions and staff workloads are continuing to grow. What should be friendly, collegial creative work environments are being too heavily micro-managed by a government, and by institution managers, focused only on shorter term measurables, and to the exclusion of the real reason we have a broad inclusive tertiary education system.
New Zealand has a world-class tertiary education system with world-class people teaching and researching for it. But our tertiary education system should not have to withstand this onslaught.
Fairness at work
Fairness at work is about the basic rights we all have as workers to respect, safe employment conditions and the chance to spend time with friends and family. It’s about workers working hard, but also knowing our work is respected, fairly paid, safe and family-friendly.In these tough times it’s about putting people in real jobs and, just as importantly, making sure we keep people in jobs.” It’s about working together to build strong communities and workplaces where everyone has a fair chance to earn a living safely.
Reviews and restructuring
Most tertiary education institutions are constantly reviewing, restructuring or making changes to some aspect of the workplace that affects TEU members.
Changes in government policy, funding and student enrolments are all factors that drive the proposed changes. Some changes members may agree with and support, others members will oppose TEU recognises that restructuring and reviews,even when done very well make the work environment very difficult for members.
Casualisation and fixed term work
New Zealand tertiary institutions are relying too heavily on casual and temporary labour for jobs that should be permanent.
Pay and Employment Equity
In 2006, women earn 87% of the average hourly earnings of men. The jobs women do more likely to do are, on average, valued less than the jobs done predominantly by men and women are also less likely to be promoted. TEU is campaigning for all working women to have equal pay and employment opportunities to men.
Parental leave
Parents, caregivers and their children should have the opportunity and the right to spend as much time together as possible during their first months and years together. Children need time to bond with those that care for them.
Parental leave is a crucial working right but it’s also an important tool for enlightened employers who want the economic benefits of retaining experienced workers, ensuring a place for families in their business and contributing to their communities.
Worklife balance and flexible work
Work-life balance is a goal for workers and unions across Aotearoa-New Zealand. Partly it is about workload but it also is about the type of work people do, our hours of work, leave entitlements, pay, workplace culture and individuals’ life, family and community participation.
