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9 October, 2015First Union in New Zealand has put decent work and decent lives at the heart of their organizing strategy. A number of actions have been organized around 7 October.
The union divides decent work into four campaigns: Jobs for All, Living wages, Secure Work and Safe Work.
The campaigns started with more than 750 union members who helped to launch a network for labour hire workers in the logistics industry. Unlike their permanently employed colleagues they are often stuck in precarious work.
On 3 October the union held a special action in the retail sector by organizing a strike action at Bunnings Warehouse, the large Australian owned hardware retailer, to impose on the workers working hours according to the unilateral bosses decisions. The picket line was organized with participation of Bunnings members, communities and Parliament from Labour and Green Parties.
The union also denounced the “successful completion” of the negotiations of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement that involves eleven Asian and Pacific Rim countries, and the United States.
Good news came from the workers of Toll Group who organized a lighting strike on October 5, the company raised its poor offer and resolved all other union claims that we pending for half a year.
The financial sector of First Union celebrated the World Day for Decent Work with completing collective bargaining with the Australian-owned Bank of New Zealand with a good wage increase and new clauses addressing workplace bullying and stress.