The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) has hit the government where it hurts – trade negotiations.After delivering a letter to Prime Minister John Key accusing him of breaking his word over labour law reforms, the CTU has withdrawn its co-operation with
The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) has hit the government where it hurts – trade negotiations.
After delivering a letter to Prime Minister John Key accusing him of breaking his word over labour law reforms, the CTU has withdrawn its co-operation with government on trade agreement issues.
Richard Trumka, president of central USA union AFL-CIO, was scheduled to visit NZ early next year on the government’s invitation but, on the request on the CTU, the visit is no longer likely to go ahead.
“It is one thing to co-operate with trade negotiations in the context of a domestic programme which invests in skills, promotes fairness at work and respect for the role of unions,” CTU president Helen Kelly said in a press release.
“But now this Government has gone down a path which tries to compete with other countries through reducing fairness at work for New Zealand wage and salary earners,” she said.
Trade Minister Tim Groser indicated that Mr Trumka’s scrapped visit was a missed opportunity to further the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
“New Zealand and New Zealanders stand to benefit substantially from further successful trade deals – particularly with large and influential economies such as the United States,” he said.
“I’m therefore sure the CTU’s members will be keen to know why their organisation is, in effect, working against their own interests in such a way.”
Labour Party spokeswoman Maryan Street expressed her disappointment that Mr Trumka’s visit would not go ahead - but she supported Ms Kelly’s actions, in light of the government’s “unwanted and unnecessary labour law changes”.
The agreement that Mr Trumka would visit New Zealand apparently occurred after a meeting with Mr Groser, Ms Street, Ms Kelly and Labour leader Phil Goff last year.
