Today E tū is launching the Rebuild Better campaign, in response to the COVID-19 crisis and recovery.
E tū National Secretary Bill Newson says it’s all about having workers at the heart of our recovery.
“The COVID-19 crisis has affected every worker in New Zealand. Our country has been lucky in some respects, but big
changes lie ahead and E tū is determined we will rebuild better,” Bill says.
“We need a future that’s better for workers, better for the country, and better for the next generation.”
The campaign is based on five key principles:Prioritise community health and wellbeingWorkers’ wages leading the recoveryKeep and create decent jobsUnion members involved in all decisionsEnd inequality
“The campaign is focused not just on weathering the COVID-19 storm, but also creating a future for workers that’s better
than the path we were on before,” Bill says.
“Community health and wellbeing should always be a priority. This means keeping people safe from COVID-19 in the
immediate term, but we also need a longer term focus on improving health and wellbeing beyond the crisis.
“Workers’ wages need to lead the recovery. We don’t want any workers out of pocket because of COVID-19. We know that
lower waged workers spend more of their hard-earned cash in the local economy than others do, so making sure workers are
well paid is part of the necessary economic stimulus – as well as the morally right thing to do.
“We need to keep and create decent jobs. High wage, secure, and safe jobs. Our country should be doing a lot more to
advance our manufacturing industries, our high-tech economy, and our green energy sector. There’s no point in a COVID-19
recovery that isn’t both socially and environmentally sustainable.
“Union members are worker experts, so they need to be involved in all decisions. That means representation at the top
tables of industry and government. We need to be equal partners in decision making, both because of the expertise that
working people have, and to ensure fair outcomes.
“Finally, we remain focussed on ending inequality. Our lowest paid workers simply cannot bear the full brunt of the
economic downturn. We’re fighting for things like Fair Pay Agreements, the Living Wage, and social procurement to
address these historic injustices.”
Please visit the new website www.rebuildbetter.nz to learn more.