THE UNIONIST: ACC Privatisation, flexible work, work rights wage drive

In The Unionist this week: National's plans for accident compensation, new work rights to request flexible working arrangements come in to force, the launch of the EPMU's work rights campaign, and economic news this week. Story summaries are below, and visit this page for the full newsletter: http://union.org.nz/news/2008/the-unionist-acc-privatisation-flexible-work-work-rights-wage-drive  

• Competition in ACC removes choice for everyone
  Unions, business and legal experts have this week all raised questions about National's plans for the future of accident compensation.
• Flexible work needed to balance work and life demands
  “A new work right for employees with care responsibilities to request flexible working arrangements reflects workers’ increasing need for balance in their lives,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said this week.
• EPMU launch work rights campaign
  One of the country's biggest unions this week launched their Work Rights Wage Drive campaign, announcing 25 mass member rallies across New Zealand throughout the month of August, aiming to raise public awareness about the importance of work rights and higher wages this election.
• Economic News
  "A lot has been said about the need to increase productivity in New Zealand workplaces. What we need to see more of is steps to achieve this, and so I was pleased last week to attend the launch of an initiative by two unions who are set about doing just this" - CTU president Helen Kelly said in a column this week.

Visit this page for the full newsletter: http://union.org.nz/news/2008/the-unionist-acc-privatisation-flexible-work-work-rights-wage-drive

ENDS