Monday 14 May 2007
Union members win finance workers NZ's biggest pay increases
Today's Department of Labour wage growth report shows that campaigns run by union members in the finance sector are helping to deliver them the largest salary rises in New Zealand - 5% compared to a total increase of 3.1% for all workers.
In February Statistics New Zealand said one of the main reasons for strong salary growth in the finance sector was the settlement of collective employment agreements.
Finance workers' union, Finsec, believes these collective bargaining results are due to union members campaigning in the finance sector.
"These results demonstrate the benefit of campaigning together and collective bargaining to improve wages and conditions and start delivering on a high wage, high skill economy in an industry that can afford it," said Finsec Campaigns Director, Andrew Campbell.
Bank workers are campaigning together to improve their banks for both workers and their communities through the industry campaign 'Better Banks' .
"New Zealand banks can afford to invest more in this country and should do so rather than sending a large proportion of their massive profits offshore to benefit others", said Campbell
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