Unite Union adopted a position on climate justice at its annual conference last week in Auckland. Unite Organiser Gary Cranston will also be attending the climate change negotiations in Paris as part of an international union delegation.

Unite organiser Gary Cranston introduces resolution on climate justice to Unite annual conference November 27, 2015

Enclosed is the latest edition of your New Zealand Labour Letter. 2015 marks 20 years of AIL in New Zealand and we look forward to continuing to serve the labour community.

AIL sends our congratulations to the New Zealand Meat Workers Union which won a significant decision in Employment Court against AFFCO detailed in this month's newsletter. We also congratulate Richard Wagstaff for his election as head of the CTU and offer our best wishes to Helen Kelly who retired.

The online publication of the New Zealand Labour Letter is provided as a service to Labour by AIL of New Zealand Ltd.  

CEO to meet with workers to discuss “positive pathway forward”.

We are pleased to announce that Russel Creedy, CEO of Restaurant Brands has accepted an offer from the laid off workers of KFC Kaikohe to discuss a “positive pathway forward”. Thirteen Kaikohe KFC employees had been left high and dry before Christmas after being made redundant with no compensation.

An Employment Court decision has forced AFFCO back to mediation with the Meat Workers Union.

By Megan Hunt (Reprinted from Stuff)

Meat process company AFFCO pressured seasonal workers into signing new individual contracts to avoid negotiating a collective contract with their union. 

A decision released by the Employment Court today said the Meat Workers Union and AFFCO reached a stalemate in negotiations for a new collective contract which expired at the end of 2014.

When workers returned for the 2015-2016 season the conditions AFFCO wanted to add to the collective contract - opposed by the union - were added to individual contracts workers needed to sign to regain employment.

Listen to Mexican refugee Diego Compa, Anu Kaloti from the Migrant Workers Association of Aotearoa and Sunny Sehgal ,organiser for E tū talking about the exploitation of migrant workers in New Zealand to Joe Carolan on Unite Union's "Workers Voice" radio show.

https://soundcloud.com/solidarityjoe/migrantworkersvoiceunitejoe

 
Robert Reid from First Union addressing union conference

The Salvation Army’s recently released report into homelessness in Auckland is a call to action over the housing crisis, says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid.

“The high cost of housing means more and more working people and their families are struggling to make ends meet.”

(Reprinted from Stuff website)

By SARAH HARRIS

Thirteen Kaikohe KFC employees are being left high and dry before Christmas after being made redundant with no compensation.

Restaurant Brands, who own KFC, is closing the store on December 2 due to several years of running at a loss.

Unite Union organiser Gary Cranston says the store has known it might close for the last year but only told staff on November 12.

See Video interview with Unite Organiser Gary Cranston

https://assets.stuff.co.nz/video/production/1447362951586-kfc.mp4

Quality care every day: We need fully-funded seven-day public health services so all Kiwis get quality care when we need it.

Greetings!  

No matter where you're from, everyone knows how important having a home is, it's the centre of our entire lives. So why is it that so many New Zealander's are unable to find a secure, warm, dry and affordable home? 

Please join us at the Hikoi for Homes in two weeks time to show your support in asking for action on housing from the government! 

Kelvin Davis with KFC Kaikohe workers

KFC is to shut its Kaikohe outlet with no payout for the workers just three weeks before Christmas, says Kelvin Davis, MP for Te Tai Tokerau. 

“The ten staff were notified late last week that they would lose their jobs early next month.  Restaurant Brands, who own KFC, have refused to provide compensation.