MAORI UNIONS

Tu Tangata, Issue 30, 1 July 1986, Page 6

MAORI UNIONS

"Tukua mai kia p>iri tukua mai kia tata kia eke mai ki runga kite yaepaepoto o Houmaitawhiti e."

About 700 Maori workers attended the first national Hui a nga Kaimahi o i Aotearoa.

The take of the hui centred around how the Trade Union Movement is able to respond to the needs of the tangata whenua.

There was a clear consensus at the hui against the formation of a separate Maori trade union. There was general agreement that Maori workers should continue to work through existing structures. However, if nothing happens in the near future as a consequence of the hui, the possibility of a separate trade union for Maori people being formed cannot be discounted.

Arapeta Tahana, a vocational guidance officer with the Labour Department’s Rotorua office, said that the hui should have been held years ago.

“Maori people have been hurting badly, and have been for years. To listen to speaker after speaker outlining the problems facing Maori people was a source of great pain.”

He said that coming together and discussing their pain as Maori workers and trade unionists gave real hope.

“We have told our pakeha brothers and sisters in a clear and unambiguous way that something has to be done, and done now.”

Arepata notes that the FOL and CSU have acknowledged that “many deficiencies exist” and that “past promises have not been kept.” Now the ball lies in the FOL/CSU court.

1. Hui follow-up

“That the present Maori Trade Union Committee, be renamed The Runanga O Nga Kaimahi, and be made responsible for negotiating with FOL and CSU on recommendations of this Hui. “The Runanga to report back to another Hui of Maori workers next year.

“That this Runanga be increased by nomination from the floor.

“That this Hui demands Maori representation on all Union decision making structures reflecting Maori membership numbers.

“That in consulation with their Maori membership, Union executives draw up and implement Maori policies.

“That Maori women and youth be integral parts of all power structures in all union organisations.”

NGA KAIMAHI MARAE S. HIHA (Maori Trade Union Committee/Wellington Clerical Workers Union) CARRIED

“Maori Representation as of right on both FOL and CSU executive and management body. Representation to be determined by Maori workers and their central body.

“Similarly union organisations should make structural changes to reflect their Maori membership and adopting a Maori perspective”.

NICK TANGAROA (Engineers Union Delegation) CARRIED

“That regions initiate post-hui hui to ensure effective ongoing networking is assured on a regional basis”.

NGAHITI FAULKNER (PSA) TAU HENARE (Clerical Workers Union, Auckland) CARRIED

“That a Maori Trade Union Hui be held annually”.

FRED McRAE (PSA) NGAIRE BROWN (Kohanga Reo) CARRIED

2. Maori Trade Union - other alternatives

“That this Hui form a Maori Trade Union Movement on a separate and equal status to the FOL and CSU”.

TAOTAHI PIHEMA (Auckland PSA Delegate) AMOKURA PANOHO (Auckland Clerical Workers Union) REJECTED

“That the Combined Trade Unions make bold public announcements to make immediate structural changes to allow for Maori self-determination in the Trade Union Movement”.

TAOTAHI PIHEMA (Auckland PSA Delegate) AMOKURA PANOHO (Auckland Clerical Workers Union) CARRIED

“That in the interim period the FOL immediately incorporate Te Reo Maori into all staff training, service and planning”.

TAOTAHI PIHEMA (Auckland PSA Delegate)

AMOKURA PANOHO (Auckland Clerical Workers Union) CARRIED

“That a salaried position to be called a Maori Public Relation Officer be immediately set up and that the FOL and CSU provide the budget and appropriate resources”.

TAOTAHI PIHEMA (Auckland PSA Delegate) AMOKURA PANOHO (Auckland Clerical Workers Union) CARRIED

“That this Hui ask the FOL to encourage and promote power sharing between pakeha and Maori workers in all work places within the private sector and Government Departments”.

JOHN ANTONIO (PSA Member, Registered as a delegate at this Hui) CARRIED

“That the Maori Trade Union Committee have a 50% representation of bona fide members of the workforce and also 1 representative of the unemployed”.

K. JONES (NZ Workers Union - delegation remit) M. WILSON (NZ Workers Union) CARRIED

“That we support the concept of organising a Maori Trade Union”.

AUCKLAND TAITOKERAU (PSA Delegation) REJECTED

“That this conference form a Working Group for the purpose of: 1) Producing a paper summarising all the needs and Maori view points raised by this conference. 2) Present the paper to the heads of the Trade Unions including all affiliated unions with a view to committing the various Unions to consider the needs in such a way as to provide whatever is necessary to accommodate these views within their structure. 3) That a reasonable time be given to the unions to reply to the Working Group with their decision. 4) That the interim measure by the Working Group, be the threat of establishing a separate union, and this to be used as an instrument to encourage a speedy and positive response by unions to the needs outlined in the paper”. V.A. WHITE (Post Office Union)

MOANA JACKSON (PSA) CARRIED

3. PEP - Marae schemes - unemployment

“This Hui supports the continuation of the PEP schemes until a replacement schemes is devised in full consultation with the Maori Trade Union Committee”. LARRY POTAE (Waikato Unemployed Workers Union) KAHUJONES (NZ Workers Union) (merged remit from Tony Reedy - Rotorua Maori PEP and Unemployed Workers Inc) CARRIED

“That Marae enterprises work schemes be examined by the Maori Trade Union Committee to determine the minimum pay rates applicable in those enterprises. That the payment of cheap rates will not be tolerated”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION CARRIED

“1. (a) That the FOL and CSU implement an immediate policy, to contribute a minimum 5% of all union fees to unemployed groups, and that Trades Councils be instructed to put this into immediate practise. (b) Further, where 2 unemployed groups or more are operating in the same Trades Council district, that the percentage is evenly divided between those groups.

“2. That the Trade Union movement push strongly for all work schemes to be fully unionised, and that all trainee groups are guaranteed representation in terms of job delegates etc.; That the formation of a specialised union of temporary workers that will cover ALL trainee/temporary (excluding Kohanga Reo) workers be looked at, practically supported and put in motion thus ending years of exploitation of temp scheme workers. “3. That local Trades Councils look into and consult with all local unemployment groups, as to practical day to day support in terms of resources”.

TE ROOPU RAWAKORE O AOTEAROA TE IWI MAORI RAWAKORE CARRIED

4. Te Reo Maori - Treaty of Waitangi

“That the NZEI (New Zealand Education Institute) supports Te Reo Maori in the Core Curriculum for all schools - Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions”.

NZEI CSU REMIT (Primary Teachers Union Delegates) CARRIED

“That this Hui calls on the FOL and the CSU:— “1. To support the claim to recognise Maori Language as an official Language in all levels of Government administration, Parliament, Local Bodies and all public places (e.g. Signalisation). - There is a claim at present with the Waitangi Tribunal by Ngakaiwhakapumau I Te Reo (Wellington Maori Language Board). The hearing of submissions have been completed and we are now awaiting the Tribunal’s report.

“2. To distribute the report from the Waitangi Tribunal to all Trades Councils and Affiliated Unions for discussion with Maori Trade Union members to enable policies to be developed in response to recommendations made by the Tribunal. “3. Coordinate a campaign to:— (a) Obtain paid leave for Maori workers of any occupation to attend courses in Maori Language as of right. (b) Obtain paid leave for Maori workers with family, hapu or tribal responsibilities, to enable them to carry out these duties. (c) Gain increased staffing to cover the absences of Maori workers on training courses or attending to responsibilities. (d) Negotiate extra payment for workers who speak the Maori Language, with this claim based on the principle that the language and Maori Culture is relevant to all occupations.

“That this campaign be run in consultation with the Maori Trade Union Committee (including CSU representatives) with progress reports sent every 3 months to Trades Councils and Affiliated Unions”.

HUIRANGIWAIKEREPURU NGAHITI FAULKNER (PSA) CARRIED

5. Tangihanga - leave

“(a) That the Te Hui A Nga Kaimahi O Aotearoa, organising Committee supports firm action on the issue of compassionate leave for tangihanga paid leave for 5 days on each occasion that the death of any relative occurs.

“(b) That this be negotiated by all unions as a condition of employment for Maori workers. That this be a major priority for the Trade Union Movement in 1986”.

NZEI CSU Remits (Primary Teachers Union Delegates) (This incorporates remit from EDDIE TENETI - United Food & Chemical Workers of NZ) CARRIED

6. “With regard to article II of the Treaty of Waitangi we call upon Wellington City to cease dumping raw sewage at Moa Pt, and develop a comprehensive land based scheme at an alternative site”.

RAY AHIPENE MERCER (Wellington Musicians Union) CARRIED

“In accordance with N.Z.F.O.L. policy regarding the non-pollution of the sea, and inland waters, that Maori Trade Unionists attending this Hui will discourage any other worker from being involved in any work which is likely to cause pollution”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION CARRIED

7. Master Carvers

“That this Hui asks the NZFOL and NZCSU to seek from Government a recognition that Master Carvers’ salaries be the responsibility of the Minister of Arts.

“The criteria for determining Master Carvers status to be a matter between the Minister of Maori Affairs, and the Maori Community. It is recognised that those carvers who work to sell to the Tourist Industry are not included in this category. Further, the Maori Trade Union Committee be asked to examine the present coverage of carvers (other than Master Carvers) with a view to determining the proper Union representation, and that other workers trained in Maori arts and crafts be considered in this review”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION CARRIED

8. Land

“The Trade Union Movement has long been a champion of the rights of minority and disadvantaged groups and recognises the Tangata Whenua claims in those cases where land has been unjustifiably taken. “This Hui seek from the Trade Union Movement action to resolve Maori land grievances”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION CARRIED

“As Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa, Maori land issues and struggles must be a priority for this Hui. “Nga Tamariki o te Kohu”.

TAME ITI HETA HEMARA CARRIED

“To establish our claim as Tangata Whenua o Aotearoa, because of the exploitation of Maori ancestors, land, forests and fisheries, this Hui supports Maori people proclaiming full and exclusive rights as a Sovereign people”.

VIOLET KAHUKURA (Otago Clerical Workers Union) S. KAHUKURA (NZLU) G. BOYD (Observer) CARRIED

9. Housing

“That Unions make urgent representation to Government, and particularly to the Minister of Local Government to remove Local Government restrictions which prohibit the building of houses on Maori Land”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION CARRIED

10. Education

“Scholarships - It be recommended to the NZFOL Executive; to the FOL National Council, and to the FOL Conference, that Unions look sympathetically at funding five bursaries (Scholarships) a year for the children of Trade Unionists to receive education at higher educational institutions.

“That agricultural colleges such as Lincoln and Flock House scholarship qualify for such scholarships and have a funding period of three years. “Trade Union Education mended that under the proposed Trade Union Education Authority and Paid Education leave, Unions be urged to encourage Maori workers to attend courses, and if possible to sponsor unemployed and those on temporary work schemes to participate”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION CARRIED

“Education/Unemployment - This Hui recognises the substantial link between a lesser level of educational achievement for Maori youth, and an associated level of Maori youth unemployment. To search for ways and means of overcoming this, the NZFOL the CSU the Ministry of Maori Affairs and Education and the PPTA look at the possibility of establishing a pilot scheme where Maori teachers could tutor Maori children 2 nights a week for approximately 2 hours each on those subjects essential to achieve higher education levels. That two or three pilots be set up in different areas and the results monitored at the end of the period”.

WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION Recommendation from committee is to reject. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION UPHELD

“Education/Qualifications - That this Hui endorses fully the recognition of Maori qualifications e.g. Te Reo Maori, as opposed to those acquired in the tertiary institutions. That these qualifications are to be assessed by appropriate Maori people and be rewarded accordingly”.

NGA KAIMAHI MARAE CARRIED

“That this Hui endorses to the respective committees, to relay to our Koros on our Maraes in the appropriate way, to encourage our Youth of today to partake in Whai Korero on our Maraes whether they have Reo or not so as to enable them to go forth in whatever walk of life they choose to gain confidence needed in them to voice their ideals for the betterment of the Maori people in the future”.

INA RANGIWHETU TRIXIE RICHARDSON (Woollen Workers Union) CARRIED

“That this Hui demands that the Government support the full costs of Kohanga Reo e.g. Building, operation, wages etc.”

D. NEHUA (Auckland PSA Delegate) W. WILSON (NZ Timber Workers Union) CARRIED

“1. To strengthen our ties with the Trade Union Movement as all sections within the Trade Union Movement can only be served by the unity of the whole movement. “2. That we push the Labour Government to implement the following:— EMPLOYMENT: Permanent, fulfilling, meaningful full-time work. Part-time work for our women Social wage, i.e. family care to subsidise a social wage. HEALTH: Free health programmes. 1. GP’s visits free

2. More doctors 3. More Nurses and aides 4. Winding down of Private Health schemes 5. More funds being put into Public Health 6. Programmes to make sure that our people bring their problems in early. EDUCATION: Free education programme. 1. PRESCHOOL (a) More funds (b) More workers (c) More building to teach kid’s (d) Bi-lingual (e) More parent support. 2. PRIMARY SCHOOLS (a) More funds (b) More teachers and teacher aid (c) More classes (d) Bi-lingual (e) Free school fees (f) More parent support. 3. COLLEGE As for above 4. UNIVERSITY (a) More universities (b) Free training (c) Making sure this is available to all. “3. That we survive for a multi cultural, Bi-lingual social system that caters for all workers and their families and that will benefit the children of our future, irrespective of race, religion or sex.

LANCE WARDLAW SAM MARTIN

(Shop Employees Union, Gisborne/Auckland) CARRIED

11. NZCTU

“This Hui notes that the Draft Constitution of the NZCTU makes no acknowledgement of Maoris, makes no provision for Maoris, and does not even make mention of a Maori Trade Union Committee. This Hui, therefore oppose the formation of the NZCTU which would reduce still further the right of Maoris to self determination within the trade union movement until there is the right of Maoris for self determination within the proposed NZCTU”. NGA KAIMAHI MARAE WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION NZEI, CSU PRIMARY TEACHERS UNION DELEGATES (Composite remit) CARRIED

12. South Africa

“That this Hui note with disgust the presence of white South African student at Rotorua Waiariki Community College who is enrolled on a course sponsored by the Department of Maori Affairs. “We demand the immediate expulsion of all South African Exchange students from Aotearoa in accordance with respective policies of the FOL/CSU. “We call on affiliated unions to take whatever action is necessary to bring this to fruition.

W. WILSON (NZ Timber Workers Union) P. JOSEPH (Bay of Plenty Trades Council, Rotorua Clerical Union) CARRIED

13. Race Relations

“That this Hui a Nga Kaimahi O Aotearoa call for the immediate resignation of Mr Hirsh and ask that Mr Palmer begin consultation with the Tangata Whenua to set the Kaupapa for the selection of the Race Relations Conciliator”.

ERU POTAKA-DEWES 808 JACKSON CARRIED

14. Employment and conditions

“I move that the National Executives when negotiating wage rounds with our employers, spend an equal amount of time negotiating more and better conditions for our Maori people for the protection of our Matauranga and our Reo Maori for which there is no price except our dignity”

MICHAEL RAIMONA

(NZ Timber Workers Union) CARRIED

“That when negotiating conditions of employment for Maori workers, the FOL and CSU have special regard to those workers who desire to live on their Turangawaewae and that special transport provisions should be negotiated with the employers”.

LAD KIHI

(PSA Hamilton) TAOTAHI PIHEMA (Delegate Auckland PSA) CARRIED

“That this Hui ask the FOL to help encourage employers in the Private Sector and Government Departments where the majority of clients are Maori and other Polynesians to employ Maori staff”.

JOHN ANTONIO (PSA Member, registered as a delegate at this Hui) CARRIED

“In those regions and areas of difficult employment opportunities, the Trade Union movement (through Trades Council) and the Local Community government examine enterprises best suited for the area, and then to ask the Government and Local Bodies to invest in such enterprises as a business venture. That unemployment in the area be encouraged to work in, and administer such an enterprise with Government and Local Government overseeing such an enterprise to help its establishment”. WELLINGTON DRIVERS UNION Recommendation from Committee is to reject. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION UPHELD

15. Homosexual Law Reform Bill- Maori electoral roll

“That this conference support the passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill unamended. “That this conference recognises that the Homosexual Law Reform Bill is a human rights measure designed to outlaw discrimination and make homosexuals and heterosexuals equal in the

eyes of the law, and for these reasons supports its passage through Parliament, unamended”.

HETA TIMU CARRIED “That Unions in the work force enrol and encourage Maoris to be on the Maori Electoral Roll”. PRINTERS UNION CARRIED