Tuesday, 1 March 2005
Union logic questioned
United Future revenue spokesperson Gordon Copeland today questioned the logic of statements by the Council of Trade
Unions supporting union demands for a 5% pay increase, but at the same time accepting without a murmur a 13% increase in
real tax rates on workers’ wages since 2000.
“The CTU is operating a double standard, ” said Mr Copeland. “If it’s good enough to push employers for an extra 5%, in
part because wage increases have failed to keep pace with inflation, then logically they should also come out strongly
in support of United Future’s push to see the government restore tax rates, in real terms, to their 2000 position.
“United Future has been nagging away at the government for two years now to see the tax brackets adjusted to take
account of the 13% inflation which has occurred since 2000.
“This has eroded the pay packet of the average worker by about $13 per week and the CTU is not protecting the position
of workers if they sit idly by with their lips tightly compressed.
“Union members should be demanding consistency and even-handedness from their leaders,” said Mr Copeland.
ENDS