Rail & Maritime Transport Union Volume 2008 # 11141444

Published Regularly - ISSN 1178-7392 (Print & Online) 13 October 2008

TH The General Secretary will sign the CA on 14 RMTU CONFERENCE behalf of the Union. The Union’s peak body will meet 14, 15 and 16 October 2008 in Porirua. Delegates from NATIONAL ’S KIWISAVER CUTS throughout NZ will come together for 3 DOUBLE WHAT IS REPORTED days of talking Union. Highlights of Conference include; “Further reading of National’s economic • Opening address – Dr Michael Cullen management plan shows alongside National’s plans to cut employer • CTU President Helen kelly contributions to 2 per cent and abolish the employer tax credit, it will also cut the • CTU Secretary Peter Conway government contribution (member tax • Port Talk – Tauranga CEO Mark cairns credit) to 2 per cent, leaving many workers • KiwiRail – William earning under $52,000 Peet much worse off.” “While somebody on an • International guests income of over $52,000 RTBU, TWU, ASLEF would still attract the full and MUA current $1,040 Conference theme for government this year is “Organising contribution, because to elect a Labour Led National have reduced Government”. the minimum contribution rate to 2 per UGL cent, they have also said they will cut the RATIFICATION government contribution ALLOT to this minimum rate B – also.” RESULT “So a worker on $30,000 a year contributing Following the counting of the above 4% to KiwiSaver will lose $440 a year from ratification ballot the following is the official the member tax credits, plus the employer result; contribution would be reduced to 2 per cent – which sees them losing another $600 a • Ballot papers issued – 346 year. These workers would be worse off by • Ballot Papers returned – 51 (13.58% $20 a week.” against) “In addition, National is misrepresenting the • Invalid votes – 4 (1.16%) union position on KiwiSaver. Unions did not want a 2+2 option that removes employer • Accept Ratification – 295 (85.26%) tax credits. That will make it much harder to The ballot was counted in the presence of persuade employers to contribute more than two Hutt Shop scruitineers Rob McDougall 2% and will also mean that some employers and Michael Kyle and is approved by the will put pressure on workers to fund the National Returning Officer Henry Fagaiava.

2 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist employer contribution out of a wage Unions has today released its election policy increase.” statement, setting out how to lift incomes and protect workers rights in New Zealand. “Unions also support a 4 per cent supported option for workers who choose it, and “There is more to lifting incomes than taxes recognise that hundreds of thousands alone,” CTU president Helen Kelly said already have, and will be hugely today. “What really impacts on workers’ disadvantaged if National implements their wage packets are the wages they are paid, changes.” and the social services we all enjoy. Parties need to spell out clearly how they will lift ONTRACK MECA wages and protect core social services. National has linked tax cuts to cuts in public The full RMTU bargaining team (comprising services – which workers will not support." Brian Cronin, Jerry Hohepa, Buzz Terrey, The document sets out the CTU’s medium Alby Barr, Kevin Gubb, Alan Hatcher, Derek term policy goals, including increasing the Lorimer, Sam Kahui, Kevin Jones and Phil minimum wage to two-thirds of the average Kearns) met with Ontrack on Wednesday 1 wage ($15 in the interim), 26 weeks paid October 2008. This meeting followed the parental leave, moving to member rejection of 56 weeks, boosting the previous proposed investment in skills and settlement. technology and lifting the We now advise that an rate of multi employer improved collective bargaining and proposed/provisional industry agreements. settlement has been The CTU’s election achieved with the campaign centres on the employer which is, of three themes of rights at course, subject to work, strong public ratification by the services and higher membership who fall wages, and the document within the coverage of also sets out CTU goals in the proposed MECA for Ontrack a range of other areas, including economic Infrastructure and Core. policy, public services and health and Ratification will be conducted in the usual safety. manner by postal ballot and papers are “The CTU has met with all the major parties expected to be posted out to all members over this statement in recent months, and covered by the MECA during the week looks forward to comparing the parties’ commencing Monday 20 October 2008. We policies on wages, jobs and incomes, may be able to get them out earlier during including at a special CTU Employment the preceding week subject to the Relations Election 08 forum in Wellington pressures of holding Annual Conference on this Thursday,” Helen Kelly said. 14-16 October 2008. The ratification vote will be one count covering all members The CTU will also this week launch 300,000 (from both Infrastructure and Core groups) copies of its new election leaflet, with a participating within the ballot. second national day of action on Tuesday - World Day for Decent Work - targeting Full and clear details of the Provisional transport hubs across New Zealand. Settlement will accompany the Ballot Including the earlier ‘What’s at Stake’ leaflet Paper. the CTU is distributing half a million leaflets during this election campaign. NIONS RELEASE LECTION U E Download the full Election Policy Statement POLICY STATEMENT or a summary version here: http://union.org.nz/policy/ctu-2008- On the eve of a week in which incomes election-policy-statement policies will be under scrutiny in the election campaign, the Council of Trade

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TRANSPORT POLITICAL PANEL behaviour, and their impacts on the environment? You are invited to be part of "The Trafinz It is important that the answers to these Transportation Political Panel" Ilott questions include government ENABLING of Chamber, Wellington Town Hall Wednesday the three "E's" Education, Enforcement and 22nd October from 10 – 12 noon. Engineering. The importance of this discussion was, and Each Party will be asked to briefly respond to has been again, clearly demonstrated by the above questions. the total commitment of all political parties The key areas are likely to include alcohol to be part of this key, and very important, limits, speed management, driver age, forum prior to the general election. As investment in infrastructure, vehicles, topical planned for the conference, the intention is safety issues and sustainable issues. for the interview to also be on NZ TV, radio DO NOT miss out please confirm your and within newspapers. attendance by RSVP via email to The Secretary [email protected] The interview will be conducted by Trafinz President, CR Andy Foster. KIWI RAIL – VEOLIA MECA – The Panel discussion will include: VEOLIA UPDATE • Peter Brown MP – NZ First Talks with Veolia are progressing and a • Hon Peter Dunne – United Future further round of talks occurred on 23 • Hon Harry Duynhoven – Labour September 2008. A further round of meetings is anticipated in late October • following the Union MP – Green Conference. • Rahui Katene – Maori KIWI RAIL – VEOLIA • Heather Roy MP – ACT MECA – KIWI RAIL • Hon Maurice UPDATE – JOINT Williamson – NOTICE National Sustainable Transport is a major issue for The finalising of the terms of Settlement, the New Zealanders; we look forward to again memorandum of Understanding and the obtaining your confirmation to be part of wording for the Collective Agreement are the answers and the way forward in taking the parties longer than anticipated. It transport for NZ communities. is necessary for all documentation to be finalised prior to undertaking the report back Debate Questions: meetings in order to comply with an 1. What are the three key things your Employment Court decision precedent with party wants to achieve in the transport the ADHB and PSA. Having all the material system within the next 3 years and how finalised also assists in being able to fully will you do it? answer any member question which may 2. The Land Transport Safety Strategy arise and also to ensure consistency of 2020 targets are currently being approach by the report back teams established. What does your party see nationwide. these need to be, and how in concrete terms will your party seek to achieve The parties anticipate being out to report to them? members early November 2008. The ratification postal ballot will run 3. How will your party enable and concurrently. The report back meetings will encourage communities to take be conducted jointly with Union and responsibility for their travel, their management presenters. The ratification will be a recommended settlement by the

13/10/08 4 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist negotiating team. This year’s negotiating ATTENTION ONTRACK team was the largest ever and ensured that all sectors of membership was represented INFRASTRUCTURE MEMBERS – and had a voice at the table. WHAT RATE DO YOU BOOK AS NOMINATIONS CALLED FOR TRAVEL ALLOWANCE ? KIWI RAIL INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL Section 3 of the allowances of the Ontrack Infrastructure Collective Agreement states; (KIC) “If you work between 2000 and 0600 hours C.T. Site Nomination called and live more than 2kms away from work $4.41 is paid for the work period. If you are Nominations are called for a National C.T. called back to work between work periods Site representative for the KIC. you are paid $4.41 OR the Company rate for Tranz Scenic On-Board Staff the use of your vehicle, at your option. representative nomination These payments do not apply if you have a Company vehicle for travel to and from called work.” Nominations are called for an On-Board We can confirm that the company rate stated Staff Tranz Scenic Staff representative for in this clause is currently $0.62 per km AND the KIC. it is also a non taxable allowance. NOTE: You can choose which rate you would prefer All nominations to be paid, must be moved either the and seconded by $4.41 or the financial $0.62 per km. members of the Reports into Union and the National Office nominee must thus far are also signify their acceptance of the that the 62 cents per km appears to be the nomination on the nomination form. most favourable to members. Particularly as Nominations must be made and seconded a majority of member’s distance travelled by members employed within the area of when called back to work exceed the $4.41 occupation of the position advertised. The payment when the kms are totaled for nominee must also work within the area of payment. representation. If you wish to claim the 62 cents per km you Nomination forms are available from the should fill out an expense form available Union National Office by calling Julia on 04 from your local manager, keep one copy for 4992066. All nominations must be sent and reference and submit the original copy to received in National Office as well as being your manager. correctly filled out, to be valid. Please note: If you choose to book up the Nominations close 1700hrs, 17 October normal rate of $4.41 then continue to do so 2008. In the event of more than one by booking accordingly on your timesheets. nomination being received for a position then a secret postal ballot will Those choosing to book the 62cents per km be conducted within the representative must fill out the expense form in addition to area of occupation. their timesheets to claim the allowance for that period.

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NAT ’S CUTS WILL INCREASE projects - and our economy will be robbed of the information needed to adapt to a quickly DEBT , POVERTY AND DECIMATE changing world. R&D “Most of the benefit of Key’s proposed tax cuts will be felt by those on above average Green Party Co-Leaders have called incomes. Even a one cent drop in the top National’s proposed tax a ‘fake free lunch’ rate is a big windfall for those earning half a which will increase New Zealand’s debt and million a year. Meanwhile families earning the gap between rich and poor, and suck less than $14,000 will get nothing,” Dr resources out of research and science. Norman says. “Key pretends he has found a free lunch “It’s all very back-to-the-‘90s. and will not increase borrowing, but this is a sham. “Borrowing for more new roads will make our transport crisis worse, putting the country in “National’s proposals will increase New debt for roads we don't need and won't be Zealand’s debt, increase the gap between able to afford to drive on. high and low incomes, make families with kids relatively worse off than others, and “In contrast, the Green Party would invest in decimate funding for science, research and infrastructure that will protect us from rising technology,” Jeanette Fitzsimons and Dr prices in the future - fixing up our rail Russel Norman say in their system, improving public transport and joint statement. making more affordable homes available.” “Reducing saving by cutting KiwiSaver is the same as increasing debt. It won’t REDUNDANCY MOVES show on the Government’s THE RIGHT ONE balance sheet, because Key has swapped Government A proposal to looks at guaranteed debt for private debt. Lower redundancy payments for workers savings will show up on is a good step forward and households’ balance sheets deserves cross party support, the as increased private debt, Council of Trade Unions said which is already too high,” today. Ms Fitzsimons says. “At a time when many fat cats “Funding tax cuts for people offshore are getting big packages on higher incomes out of despite creating the global credit the science budget crunch, it is good to see the mortgages the future even more. prospect of ordinary workers having decent compensation when they are laid off,” CTU “A strong sustainable economy will be president Helen Kelly said. based on good science and research. They are currently underfunded. National wants "Being made redundant is a stressful time to strip them even further. for workers both personally and financially. The greater the assistance available to them “It is also a flip flop. Last Thursday, the better. The reality is that when business speaking to agricultural scientists in is failing the burden of that failure falls Hamilton, National announced that it would unfairly on workers when they are laid off scrap the $700m Fast Forward fund for without compensation.” agricultural research and move some of the R&D tax credit for business to fund science “It is good to see that the Advisory Group on directly. redundancy and restructuring agreed that the Government should consider a statutory “Now they plan to take the whole tax credit requirement for notice and compensation. - $208m this year, and rising - for personal This is another step forward, following the tax cuts. So under National, we will see our inclusion of redundancy as a priority brightest scientists leaving for overseas as there will be no funding here for any new

13/10/08 6 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist payment in insolvencies, and adjusting the BANKS SHOULD OPT FOR DEPOSIT tax on workers’ redundancy payments.” GUARANTEE IME TO SUSPEND “Many union members are already - T protected through collective agreements. TARGETS AND PROTECT JOBS But redundancy should be part of the minimum code of work rights that covers Bank workers’ union Finsec says that all our all workers.” major banks should immediately sign up to the government’s plan to guarantee bank The CTU would consult with affiliates and deposits. take an active part in proposed consultation next year, Helen Kelly said. “Our banks are in a strong position with good profits,” said Finsec Campaigns Director Andrew Campbell. “They should UNIONS APPLAUD RETRAINING reinforce this position by agreeing to FOR LAID -OFF WORKERS Labour’s plans announced yesterday. This would give customers greater certainty A retraining allowance will assist long- about the security of their deposits.” service workers if they are made redundant Finsec is also calling on the banks to take says Helen Kelly, Council of Trade Unions' two additional steps to ensure economic President. stability; a suspension of sales targets for The Labour Party yesterday announced a bank staff and retention of existing staffing new retraining allowance (on a similar basis levels. to the student “It is unbelievable allowance) to apply that in the midst of to workers with five this crisis, some or more years' banks have made service if they are moves to actually laid off. increase sales targets Helen Kelly says for staff to sell that the CTU has products, including been working with business groups and the debt products.” Government on a programme called “Now is the time to suspend or significantly 'Security in Change' which aims to provide reduce sales targets to ensure that coordinated support for workers and firms customers are not getting into debt they when there is restructuring and likely may not need or be able to afford, especially redundancies. if this recession deepens. Our major banks "This new retraining allowance will be a need to seriously rethink the system of sales welcome and very important addition to targets in response to the global credit other types of assistance such as helping crisis.” with CVs, advice, job-search and Finsec is also calling on the banks to ensure relocation". the protection of jobs in the sector. “The big Helen Kelly says that this sort of approach banks are some of our largest and most works well in many Scandinavian countries profitable employers. With the added and sits alongside other progressive protection of the government’s deposit measures such as paid parental leave and guarantees, there should be no reason to cut free early childhood education to support any more jobs from the finance industry.” high levels of workforce participation. Campbell said that the banks should return the trust given by the New Zealand government and their Kiwi customers and retain good stable jobs in this country. “Large companies that can afford to should be making commitments to job security. Employment stability at this time is in the interest of the banks themselves, their staff

13/10/08 7 www.rmtunion.org.nz The Activist and customers and the wider economy,” he To complement the broadcast coverage, said. decision08.co.nz will be simulcasting each of the minor party leaders, the Leader's Debate MINOR PARTY LEADERS TO and election night coverage. Electorate results will be updated in real time, giving FRONT UP ON CAMPBELL LIVE web users the most immediate online coverage available. The site also features The minor party leaders will be appearing extensive party information, blogs and a individually on Campbell Live, commencing policy comparison section. on Tuesday, October 14 at 7.00pm with New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters. Mark Jennings, Director of 3 News and The network will also Current Affairs, says "This be screening a is the most interesting Leader's Debate election New Zealand has between Prime had for some time and 3 Minister News will put more and National Leader resources than ever before John Key on Monday, into keeping our viewers November 3 at on top of the play. John 7.30pm, hosted by Campbell, the best John Campbell. political interviewer on Throughout the television will elicit the campaign viewers will facts and expose the be able to submit pretenders." questions for all party leaders via 3 NEWS' Let’s Be Safe dedicated election Out There & website decision08.co.nz Remember...... 3 NEWS' Election night coverage on November 8 will begin at 7.00pm with John Campbell presenting a live “W E’RE broadcast from the studio. He will be chairing a panel of New Zealand's top political commentators and analysts, including former cabinet minister the Hon. STRONGER Steve Maharey, political journalist Linda Clark, leading political scientist Jon Johansson, political commentators Chris TOGETHER ”! Wikaira and Matthew Hooton and former Independent editor Jenny McManus, who will give viewers extensive and immediate analysis of results as they unfold. Leading up to the election, 3 NEWS will be running weekly polls, in the 2005 election 3 NEWS polls gave the closest reading to the actual election results. 3 NEWS will utilise its highly experienced team of political reporters, lead by Political Editor Duncan Garner and including John Campbell, Scott Campbell, Sia Aston and Ali Ikram. 3 NEWS will also be working in conjunction with Maori Television to give viewers exclusive access to information on key Maori seats.

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