May 01, 2017
May Day marks wider union role
It's May Day, when thought turn to the concerns of workers and to those who didn't make it through the year because of accidents on the work site.
Syd Keepa, the vice president Maori of the Council of Trade Unions, says while membership has fallen after the end of compulsory unionism, unions are now more open to working with other groups including iwi to stand up for those who are struggling.
He says the CTU is working with Auckland Action Against Poverty, and union members helped with koha and practical assistance when marae tackled homelessness.
"Rather than just say 'I'm not going to do anything for you because you're not a union member,' unions have become more flexible and look at those people, whether they are in unions or not, but are suffering on the job by bosses giving them heaps," Mr Keepa says.
The unions' fight for pay equity for rest home employees benefited about 55,000 workers, of who only about 5000 are union members.
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