Podcasts about fair pay agreements

A Cabinet Minister wants the Government to be more careful around sensitive information.  An MBIE investigation's found a confidential cabinet paper, sent to Oranga Tamariki and 19 other agencies was leaked, regarding repealing Fair Pay Agreements.  It was sent to a union representative from an Oranga Tamariki worker, and then leaked to media.  Workplace Relations and Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden told Tim Dower that she doesn't think it was necessary for the document to be sent to other agencies.  She hopes Cabinet looks into how it treats sensitive information.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a sound issue for the first 5mins 43secs then fine. Live at 9pm, Debbie Ngarewa Packer joins us to talk about the National Hui over the weekend. What are her takeaways and where to from here especially in the lead up to Ratana and Waitangi Day National is not following official advice on anything from Fair Pay Agreements, to Regulatory Impact Statements and now to the Treaty referendum, and that may be something people are ok with, new government, new way of doing things...except they were very critical of Labour for...you guessed it...not following official advice. Chloe Swarbrick and Brook van Velden were on Breakfast this morning talking the treaty referendum, we'll cover that off as well. We'll take a look at some of the big stories, and a couple that just took our fancy whilst we were away on a break. Leading these stories was the resignation of Golriz Ghahraman. ================================================ Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Pressure is on for the Finance Minister to provide detail on how the government will deliver promised tax cuts as the country's economy slows. Nicola Willis unveiled the mini-Budget on Wednesday alongside Treasury's half year update. She has so far found $7.5 billion by slashing funding from initiatives like Let's Get Wellington Moving, Fair Pay Agreements and the Emissions Trading Scheme. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In our latest quarterly labor law podcast, we interview Kirk Hope, CEO at Business New Zealand, to better understand the impact of Fair Pay Agreements on a legal system similar to our own, and review other Labour Party proposals for unionized employers (Fair Pay Agreements are a form of sectoral collective bargaining proposed by the UK Labour Party and recently implemented in New Zealand).

It's been another tumultuous week in Parliament as the new government tries to get its feet under the table. Protests have erupted against the repealing of smokefree legislation and Fair Pay Agreements, and at Te Papa where a Treaty of Waitangi display was damaged. Finance Minister Nicola Willis' decision not to fund blowouts in the Cook Strait ferry upgrade has drawn calls for her resignation from transport unions. And in the House, Chloe Swarbrick has refused to apologise for calling statements made by the Prime Minister a lie. Political commentators Lamia Imam and Ben Thomas spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Axing fair pay agreements will shave up to $10,000 a year off a bus drivers salary according to the Council of Trade Unions. The government plans to get rid of the policy by Christmas, putting an end to half a dozen agreements part way through the process. Among them are the hospitality industry, security officers and commerical cleaners. FPAs allowed unions to negotiate sector wide agreements for some industries. Council of Trade Unions national president Richard Wagstaff, who's been involved with negotiating the bus drivers' agreement, speaks to Lisa Owen. (V [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6342822827112

The government says it'll repeal Fair Pay Agreements by Christmas. It's also restated its intention to extend 90 day trials to every business in the country, not just those with fewer than 19 workers. The move has put the government on a collision course with unions, who rallied outside David Seymour's office in Auckland today. A leaked Cabinet paper has revealed the Workplace Relations minister, Brooke Van Velden, ignored advice from Treasury and claims there was no consultation. Emma Stanford was there.

Employer and business groups are celebrating the government's move to roll back Fair Pay Agreements. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Valden says the repeal will benefit businesses and employees. Aroundf 150 protestors from different unions targeted David Seymour's office yesterday in opposition of the decision. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young spoke to Corin Dann.

The Workplace Relations Minister says they want to ensure employment law is as flexible as possible.   The new government is extending 90-day work trials to all employers, which were previously restricted to small businesses.   A bill to make the change will be passed under urgency by Christmas.   Fair Pay agreement legislation has also been repealed.   Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking that the government's delivering what New Zealanders voted for.   She says it's a clear policy that they entered the coalition agreements with, and is part of the 100 Day plan.   Van Velden says they want to send a clear signal this government backs business.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says scrapping Fair Pay Agreements and bringing in 90 day trials means more workers can be hired. FPAs - which triggers collective bargaining if it's called for by 10 percent of a workforce - will be scrapped by Christmas. Meanwhile, a new bill will mean every business will be allowed to dismiss a worker in their first 90 days. ZB political editor Jason Walls says this update isn't particularly surprising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National's Chris Luxon has confirmed Fair Pay Agreements will be scrapped by Christmas and 90-day trials will be implemented. Is this terrible news for workers? More PISA results show Kiwi kids are among the worst behaved in the OECD. Is this surprising news? Are there any solutions? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says scrapping Fair Pay Agreements and bringing in 90 day trials means more workers can be hired. FPAs - which triggers collective bargaining if it's called for by 10 percent of a workforce - will be scrapped by Christmas. Meanwhile, a new bill will mean every business will be allowed to dismiss a worker in their first 90 days. ZB political editor Jason Walls says this update isn't particularly surprising. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's First Up pod - move over Wordle - we speak to the creator of the game Gubbins; Japan prepares for Christmas and no New Year celebrations at Shibuya; Nicola Willis explains plans to repeal Fair Pay Agreements before Christmas and with more people doing it tough, Sir Michael Jones tells us about the Big Feed telethon. First Up - Voice of the Nathan!

All employers will soon be able to use 90 Day Work Trials, which the previous Labour government restricted to small businesses.   The new Government is passing a bill to do so under urgency by Christmas.   The Employers and Manufacturers Association's Alan McDonald told Tim Dower that it'll mainly be used by smaller employers.   He says it might encourage them to take a chance on someone returning to the workplace after a long absence, or a school leaver looking for their first job.   Cabinet's also confirmed that it will repeal Fair Pay Agreements before Christmas, which made it easier for workers to band together to negotiate wages and working conditions.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Workplace Relations and Safety minister has a busy two weeks ahead, with promises to axe Fair Pay Agreements by Christmas, and start work to reinstate 90-day trials. ACT's deputy leader Brooke van Velden has rocketed into Cabinet - but her relationship with unions is already off to a rocky start. RNZ political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

About now most of us are on the countdown. The countdown to Santa Claus' brief visit and the end of the year. The countdown to some time off, a chance to stop and reset. Or perhaps it's the countdown to returning home to spend quality time with family. It may just be the countdown to the end of Christmas music for another year.   You get the picture.  But while many of us are ready to slow things down, I enjoyed seeing politicians ramping up in Parliament this week and doing what they do; introducing themselves, dropping insults and throwing dirt and getting on with the policy promises laid out during the election campaign.  And gee, it was an action-packed week.  There were justifications and an embarrassing mistake over the dumping of anti-smoking legislation. Te Pati Māori mobilised Māori to take to the streets for National Māori Action Day protesting the coalitions polices.   There were leaks about the Government's plan for Fair Pay Agreements and Regulatory Impact Analyses - which indicated some legislation may not get the usual level of regulatory scrutiny.  Then there was the drama and theatrics of swearing in MPs, with one new MP's maiden speech earning a standing ovation from all corners of the house. The star of the week, National MP James Meager, joins us shortly.   We also had impassioned speeches about the Israel Palestine conflict, barbs traded about the financial state of the books left by the previous Government, and real concerns about the blow out in costs for infrastructure projects.   All this in one short week.   The Government is moving fast. There's a lot happening and while we're all very keen to clock out, the reality of what Kiwis voted for is just kicking in, so it's important we pay attention to Parliament over the next two weeks.   It felt like a long election campaign and it was great when it ended. I almost appreciated the long lull between election day and the announcement of the coalition Government agreement. But it has been a long time since the 53rd Parliament was dissolved on 8th September - it's good to be back. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement, "We also want to see steps made towards a ceasefire"? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the New Zealand economy? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Will the tax cut package promised by the Government in the Speech from the Throne be "self-funding"; if so, what specific revenue measures will be used to fund it? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and policies? LAURA TRASK to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What is Government policy on Fair Pay Agreements? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Why did he delegate responsibilities for the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 to the Associate Minister of Health Hon Casey Costello, and why has he not made any delegations to the other associate Ministers of Health, Hon Matt Doocey and Hon David Seymour? GRANT McCALLUM to the Minister for Energy: What recent announcements has he made on the Lake Onslow Pumped Hydro scheme? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he have any concerns about the Scott Base redevelopment in Antarctica? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Development: Is he committed to the goal of achieving 1 million speakers of te reo Maori by 2040? KATIE NIMON to the Minister of Education: What reports has she received on student achievement? GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Will he lead the Government to join the United Nations Secretary General, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the majority of New Zealanders according to a recent poll to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; if not, why not?

Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Labour's Ginny Andersen join Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. Together they debate the scrapping of Fair Pay Agreements, Mark Mitchell's open letter to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, the Te Pati Maori led protests across the country, the state of the Government's books, and smokefree law changes.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The investigation is underway as to how Treasury advice was leaked around the Fair Pay Agreements.  One headline suggested the Government were shaken by it.  I wonder if that is slightly overstating the case, but you would at least be surprised that something like this happened so soon after the country decided you were “it” for the next three years.  But then, this is what we see at a change of Government. There are people who don't like what happened at the election, just as there are people that don't like what happened at every election.  In a way it's another of those weird outcomes of MMP, despite the fact the result was very clear, and we wanted the old lot out and a new lot in.  You just don't know in detail what that new lot are going to deliver.  This time especially, given it's a three-way deal for the first-time involving Cabinet responsibility, you get the mix of three lots of thinking.  The irony though, when it comes to the FPA's and the leak, is several fold.  The most significant bit is that none of the parties now in Government campaigned to retain FTA's, so you can't have it both ways. You can't vote for change then be surprised when change comes.  A lot of the coalition document does actually have a commonality in thinking about it.  Yes, the foreign house buyer idea of National got shelved and yes, ACT's Treaty vote only gets to go to select committee. That's the headline stuff.  The meat and potatoes, the bulk of what this Government will do, comes with three-way universal agreement.  As for Treasury, we must remember they are but a Government department. They are often wrong and, most important to remember, all Governments have and do take advice and not automatically act on it.  So, when the media breathlessly trumpets this as some sort of scandal, they conveniently choose to forget this has happened many, many, many times before, including very often with the last Government, and if you took the advice each and every time you could ask why Treasury aren't in fact running the country. Why do we need a Government?  The advice must be treated as a whole. The specific advice the unions are pedalling was that the lower paid would get more money, and that is true. But there is a cost to that. It's called a deficit, it's called debt, and it's called inflation. The last Government handed out money for no return like it was water and look where that got us.  You don't need to be in Treasury to work that out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Council of Trade Unions has fired back against Brooke van Velden, claiming she shared false information. This dispute is centred around the Government's proposed repeal of Fair Pay Agreements, a promise they campaigned on during the election. CTU President Richard Wagstaff says van Velden never had a proper consultation on repealing Fair Pay Agreements. "We had no idea she had a Cabinet paper, she'd had official advice, there was a hold of issues- she never raised anything." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workplace Relations Minister says she's disappointed unions are mis-characterising plans on Fair Pay Agreements. Elements of the Government's moves to repeal the policy were leaked to media last night. CTU President Richard Wagstaff subsequently told press he was upset unions had not been consulted about the plans. But Brooke Van Velden says his comments are not true. "Look, I was sworn into Government on Monday, and on Wednesday I sat down with both Business NZ and the Council of Trade Unions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workplace Relations Minister says she's disappointed unions are mis-characterising plans on Fair Pay Agreements. Elements of the Government's moves to repeal the policy were leaked to media last night. CTU President Richard Wagstaff subsequently told press he was upset unions had not been consulted about the plans. But Brooke Van Velden says his comments are not true. "Look, I was sworn into Government on Monday, and on Wednesday I sat down with both Business NZ and the Council of Trade Unions." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Chris Luxon has outlined the first moves the newly-formed Government plans to take. Under the 49-day action plan, Fair Pay Agreements, Three Waters, the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, and smokefree legislation are all set to be scrapped. Political commentator Peter Dunne says Winston Peters' controversial comments have left an impact on Luxon's first week in power- and discredit him as a no-nonsense leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's thought the new Government will start with some of the 'easy wins' in its 100-day plan.  Ministers from our first three-party coalition of National, ACT, and New Zealand First meet for their first Cabinet meeting today.  Prime Minister Chris Luxon says today's meeting will lay out expectations, and at tomorrow's meeting they'll discuss items like agreeing to a plan.  Former Senior Ministerial Adviser to National, Brigitte Morten, told Tim Dower that there's only about nine sitting days left for the year, so they'll move quickly.  She believes they'll be looking to introduce legislation to get rid of Fair Pay Agreements, and repeal Three Waters and RMA.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour Party's Fair Pay Legislation was passed with the intention of creating industry standards for employee's pay and working conditions. The National Party has campaigned on repealling the legislation. Following the preliminary results, it seems likely that the bill could be scrapped. Nicholas spoke to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff about the potential ramifications of scrapping Fair Pay Agreements.

Some restaurant owners are looking forward to the end of fair pay agreements and the reintroduction of 90 day trials. They're two promises made by National on the campaign trail. But the Union for hospitality workers says the move would be a counter productive, backwards step. Bill Hickman has more.

Berl's chief economist has dismissed ACT's proposal to axe the January 2nd public holiday as pointless. The proposal is part of ACT's small business policy, with the party saying it would help businesses absorb the cost of the Matariki Holiday introduced by the Government last year. The policy package would also abolish Fair Pay Agreements and put a hold on minimum wage increases for three years, which the party says would improve productivity and make life easier for small businesses. Berl chief economist Hillmaré Schulze spoke to Corin Dann.

First Union bus drivers have achieved a 'historic' victory in wage negotiation. These bus drivers have become the first set of workers in New Zealand to get approval to initiate an industry-wide Fair Pay Agreement. The bus driver unions will begin negotiations as they attempt to address ongoing issues of investment, overseas recruitment and driver safety. First Union's Louisa Jones says these negotiations have been a long time coming, as they've been trying to initiate the discussions since December 2022. "The bus industry is quite an organised group of employers as far as New Zealand industries go, and we have pretty good relationships there, and the unions are committed to working together too for all bus drivers. So yeah, optimistic we can do it." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unions have paid tribute to Jacinda Ardern for her commitment to frontline workers and the employment initiatives.  Her Government spearheaded policy such as Fair Pay Agreements, Domestic Violence Leave, 26 weeks paid parental leave, 10 days paid sick leave, and pay equity settlements.  E tū Union's Assistant National Secretary Annie Newman spoke to Corin Dann.

I am glad the RNZ/TVNZ merger is getting the noise it deserves. The trouble with mass reform under ideological Governments is certain things attract headlines and a lot of stuff doesn't. The Fair Pay Agreements, I think, deserved more noise than they got, given the chaos they are going to cause around the economy. And the merger is another such matter than was always going to struggle against scandals like Covid and lockdowns and Three Waters and charging farmers for being farmers. But as the spotlight gets shone on the merger ideology it's become increasingly obvious there is actually nothing that drives it. The Prime Minister, who seems to have settled on an approach of literally making it up as she goes, yesterday suggested that if they didn't merge it Radio New Zealand might collapse. That of course is errant nonsense given the Government writes the cheques. But part of her argument was that they had lost audience, which is correct. Their main programme in the morning has lost a lot of audience. I know, because most of its turned up here. And the reason it's turned up here is we aren't boring. But a merger in and of itself won't change that for them. It's a lot like Ardern's claim that if you don't back Three Waters your rates will increase, which isn't true either. Rates increase all over the place, all the time and none of it has to do with water or central Government because it's not their business. She also rolled out that tired old line that we need more trust in the media, which is true. But it's not directly related to a merger, or indeed the Government having anything to do with media. When pressed, what we have learned is there is not a single solid idea behind any of this. Not a single light bulb moment where you go "ah that's why, that makes sense". Along with their mad polytech idea, the centralisation of health, their obsession with Maorifying everything - the merger just seems to be part of a crazed grab bag of ideological thought bubbles they dreamed up in opposition years ago that they would have a crack at next time they turned up in Government. If I was them I would read the poll which has the majority of us against it, and kill it. If they honestly believe a combination of Willie Jackson and Tracey Martin is broadcasting's future, then it's time they handed the place over to some adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supermarket workers begin the initiation process for Fair Pay Agreements today, via their union. They are bargaining for wage increases as inflation continues to soar, along with wage progression and improved health and safety standards. While FPAs have garnered significant opposition from business associations and the Parliamentary right, the mood among supermarket workers is one of excitement, solidarity, and hope for future generations.  Hanna spoke to Nerissa Harding, a supermarket worker and organiser with the Council of Trade Unions, about what prospects the negotiations hold for her, her co-workers, and the industry. 

It's set to be a big day for unions with the Fair Pay Agreements system coming into effect tomorrow. It means eligible unions can apply to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for approval to begin bargaining for a specific industry. The Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff says he understands many unions are ready to hit the ground running. "Once they've initiated, then we'd expect the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to verify their signatures and then there will be a process where employers will be notified." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An employers group says it's been forced to play a part in the Government's new Fair Pay Agreements system. The Government had offered the lobby group funding to act on behalf of employers that need representation and play a supporting role in the system more generally. But BusinessNZ says it wanted nothing to do with the scheme, partly due to its compulsory nature. Advocacy Director Catherine Beard told Mike Hosking the organisation has now accepted it will represent some members in some negotiations, on a case-by-base basis. She says the Fair Pay Agreement system is the law, and businesses and industry groups will have to follow it. The system comes into effect next month. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's less than a year until the next election and Labour's still got a lot on its legislative agenda this term.

The Fair Pay Agreements bill passed its third and final reading on Wednesday night. Introduced to parliament earlier this year, the bill will allow workers in a certain industry to negotiate for better pay and working conditions industry wide. Negotiations will be triggered if ten percent of workers or 1000 employees in an industry agree. David spoke to Labour MP Camilla Belich about the subject.

Welcome to the Friday Wire! Liam had their regular chat with city councillor Shane Henderson.  David talked to Labour MP Camilla Bellich about the passing of the Fair Pay Agreements bill. David also spoke to Victoria University of Wellington Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies Paul Morris about antisemitism.

It's time now for our weekly Friday feature in which we dissect, discuss and analyse the political stories of the week. RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson, and TVNZ political editor Jessica Mutch-McKay spoke to Māni Dunlop.

The Fair Pay Agreements bill passed in Parliament last night with support from Labour, the Greens and Te Pati Maori but the new law won't last long if National gets into power. The National Party is promising to repeal the biggest shake-up of industrial relations in a generation if elected next year. Political reporter Katie Scotcher was watching the debate.

Legislation setting up a legal framework for collective bargaining across industries is set to become law. The Fair Pay Agreements Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament, with the support of Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori.  The bill provides a framework for collective bargaining across occupations - like cleaners, supermarket workers and security guards - rather than just between unions and employers. National and Act oppose the measures, which they say will hurt small businesses, and vow to repeal the law if elected next year. Business NZ chief executive Kirk Hope and New Zealand Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff spoke to Corin Dann.  

The Fair Pay Agreement Bill - one of Labour's flagship worker policies - has passed, marking one of the most significant shifts in employment relations in decades. Fair Pay Agreements will enable employers and employees to bargain collectively for industry or occupation-wide minimum employment terms, which the government says will improve employment conditions across the board. A similar scheme of industry-specific minimums, called employment awards, has been in place in Australia for many years. National and Act oppose the measures, which they say will hurt small businesses, and vow to repeal the law if elected next year. National Party workplace relations spokesperson Paul Goldsmith spoke to Corin Dann.

The fair pay law is another of those ideas that has come to fruition that in and of itself won't swing a vote. It's sort of like the media merger. You might not think much of it but you are not going to protest or swap your vote because of it. It's no Three Waters. And to be fair to the government, it is the sort of thing you would expect them to do. They're promoting unions and unionisation is a very Labour pastime. It also comes, ironically, at a time when it's never been less needed. The labour market is a complete shambles and anyone who wants work has a vast array of choice. And wages have gone up ludicrous amounts. So much so, that inflation is still way higher than anyone expected, and the downstream consequences are going to be ugly. That perhaps is the ultimate irony. Even Grant Robertson, one of the biggest fans of things like Fair Pay Agreements and the jobs tax, is already warning about the economic mess next year. And the economic mess is a direct result of wage rises that have come about for no other reason than the cost of living having gone skywards. The part Labour have never quite got their head around is that each job has a value, and when you pay more for that job than its value, the way we are at the moment, a couple of things happen, you pass the price on to the punter, who either pays it, which leads to inflation. Or they don't pay it which means you then layoff the workers because you can't afford them anymore. That's essentially what unionism is. It's an annual "we are ripped off, it's not fair, we are on strike" sort of fiesta for more money for the sake of more money. Under this latest guise of Fair Pay Agreements, if 10% want an industry wide deal, they get it. Who cares about the 90%? You can't afford the rise at your particular factory, warehouse, or office? Stiff cheese. You can't agree on the deal they've forced upon you? Stiff cheese again. You're off to compulsory mediation and they'll tell you what you're doing with your money and your business. The greatest sadness of all is we used to do it this way.  We did this decades back and it didn't work. And when the Employment Contracts Act came along and people got choice, they chose what we've had ever since, until now. For many, that choice has once again been taken away from them. In essence, we are revisiting past mistakes because those driven by ideology, don't understand economics, and they never learn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business New Zealand is poking holes in the proposed Fair Pay Agreements legalisation. The rules mean if a thousand employees, or 10 percent of a workforce, agree to start the collective bargaining process, that process is automatically triggered. The Fair Pay Agreements legislation is expected to pass its third reading in Parliament later today. Business New Zealand Chief Executive Kirk Hope told Mike Hosking driving wage rates up to boost productivity up won't work. He says the threshold to trigger the agreement is too low. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MPs Michael Wood and Mark Mitchell joined the Mike Hosking Breakfast to wrap the week's political news. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavy vehicle driver shortages are so dire that one trucking company is having to fly drivers down to the South Island every week to cover important routes. "We're just scraping through as a nation," said trucking boss Chris Carr, who was out driving goods himself because his company, Carr and Haslam, was so understaffed. His comments follow a letter being sent to Immigration Minister Michael Wood from industry heads warning waste collection and public transport services could be "pared back" if changes aren't made to allow more drivers into the country immediately. Wood said, in a statement, the lack of staff had been driven by operators lowering the pay and conditions of drivers to compete commercially, and that he would consider the letter before replying. "Taken together, the sectors we represent are facing a shortfall of over 9000 drivers: at least 8000 drivers for freight vehicles of all sizes and classes; up to 600 bus drivers; and around 400 drivers of waste collection vehicles," said the letter, signed by representatives of the Waste Management Industry Forum, the Bus and Coach Association, and National Road Carriers. "We cannot overstate the degree of strain this is placing on the businesses we represent. It is resulting in unsustainable increases in cost, uncertainty and stress, and businesses are being stretched to breaking point in order to uphold commitments to clients and customers, and to the New Zealand public. We are receiving reports of burnout on an unprecedented scale." If the shortages aren't addressed, the country was likely to experience a "significant and sustained decline in economic activity and in living standards", they said. "Increasingly, it will become impossible for businesses to get goods and services to andfrom market in the way that, until recently, they have been able to. Public transport and waste collection services, which are taken for granted in a modern, developed economy like New Zealand, will inevitably be pared back." While they agreed part of the resolution was to develop skills in the local workforce - which they would develop a pan-sector working group to address - this was "not nearly enough to fill the gap". "What is required immediately are changes to immigration settings that allow more skilled drivers to enter the country, more quickly. Industry bosses wrote a letter to Immigration Minister Michael Wood. Photo / Mark Mitchell "This could entail adding skilled drivers to Immigration New Zealand's Green List roles, for as long as it takes to build up the pool of local drivers to the point required." Carr said his company was so short of drivers they had been flying staff down to the South Island from Auckland every week for the past three or four months. "It's pretty grim," he said. "We're in the industry that makes things happen so we're making it happen, but it comes at quite a considerable human cost." Staff were working "maximum hours" and struggling to take time off. The immigration process for skilled drivers needed to be streamlined and made easier, as it was currently "easier to pull your eyelids out". Carr wanted the Government to work with the sector on trying to solve the problem and to acknowledge the issue. If change didn't come soon, companies were likely to run out of people and goods would stop being delivered, he said. "Things just won't be there." He said there would be a shortage of important goods and items would become more expensive. "If we stop, the country stops. You can get by without a coffee or a dinner out, you can't get by if you don't have any food or any medical supplies." Minister Wood told NZME it was clear there were challenges in recruiting skilled drivers. "This has been driven by an industry approach that forces operators to lower drivers' pay and conditions in order to compete commercially," he said. "Employers are able to recruit internationally, provided they pay migrant workers at least the median wage." Having only just received the letter, he wanted to give it "proper consider" before replying. "Improving the conditions of drivers will make it easier to recruit and retain the workforce. "That's why our Government is moving ahead with introducing Fair Pay Agreements, along with other reforms specifically for public transport to boost pay and conditions for bus drivers."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have the sort of logic only the Prime Minister can use when she largely isn't on top of the subject she is talking about. She tells us that farmers will benefit by leading the world once the Government's new "tax farmers more to save the world” scheme gets under way. Small news flash, we already lead the world. It's been a good trick. You create the problem, in this case farming emissions. You then tell farmers you're going to tax them and farmers get upset. Farmers are lucky because they are the backbone economy so have political heft. So the Government pretends to acquiesce and say "okay no ETS for you, let's have a special plan, and you can tell us what it is." Except it's a con. What you want and what you get isn't the same thing. They pulled the same trick on Business New Zealand with Fair Pay Agreements. Business New Zealand joined the group, made the submissions until, whoops, that's no good count us out. But by that time it's too late. Farmers wanted to set the levies for emissions, but guess who is going to do it now? The Climate Commission. Are the Climate Commission friends of the farmer? No, they are not. Are the Climate Commission climate zealots? Yes, they are. Other problem, all this is based on modelling. Even James Shaw at the announcement admitted modelling isn't exact. Surely our experience through Covid proved that? Even more problems, this has to be up by 2025. Will it be? No. Who says so? The Government. The architects of this mass tax thought bubble admit that the timing is tight. And this is a government that can't deliver pizza, far less a climate policy. If that happens farmers will be folded into the ETS, the very thing they weren't being folded into from the start. In really simple terms, we take the golden goose of the economy, charge it more, and theoretically save the world. It's a farce. As our costs go up, and we produce less, someone fills the gap, it's called market economics. The Government doesn't understand that bit and perhaps more dangerously, they don't want to. They don't like farmers or farming. They have been after them for the past five years and treat them like idiots and enviro-terrorists. The fact they are the best in the world never seems to have mattered. If the Labour Party get a single vote out of rural New Zealand next year, I'll be astounded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's greatest and bestest weekly Political Podcast that is NOT funded by NZ on Air! This week in studio with Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayoralty Candidate Efeso Collins. Damien Grant will also be present. Unique political commentary unlike any other Issue 1 – Auckland Mayoralty – democracy is at stake! Issue 2 – Latest TVNZ Poll – MMP spectrum is splintering – why? Issue 3 – Government gold plated Unemployment scam vs Fair Pay Agreements – with economy faltering what's best for NZ? Issue 4 – Fuck Boy Island – is this the public broadcasting TVNZ should be making? The podcast broadcasts live at 7.30pm from the Mediaworks studios on Facebook, YouTube & The Daily Blog and posted up afterwards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Rova & Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim, joined by special guest with spicy takes, Remi, chats about the controversy and lies from Business New Zealand about Fair Pay Agreements, and the state of Hong Kong and their media freedoms two years on from the introduction of the new security law in 2019.

Business NZ says New Zealand's on a shortlist of countries breaching international law due to the Government's fair pay agreement bill. An International Labour Organisation committee will look at the policy next week in Geneva. This follows a complaint made by Business NZ, which believes the agreements will remove rights and freedoms from workplaces. Chief executive Kirk Hope spoke to Corin Dann.

How well prepared are employers for the the biggest change to workplace law in decades expected later this year? The Fair Pay Agreements bill brings together employers and unions within a sector to bargain for minimum terms and conditions for all employees in that industry or occupation. Workers will be represented by unions, and employers by an employer association, these will need to be established. The proposed law has support from workers groups welcoming the provision of minimum fair pay standards for some of the lowest paid New Zealanders but BusinessNZ says Fair Pay Agreements are "fundamentally flawed" and the legislation breaches international obligations for voluntary bargaining. It's taking the case to the International Labour Organisation. Kathryn speaks to Kirk Hope, the Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, as well as Megan Vant, a senior associate at Dundas Street Employment Lawyers.

Political commentators Shane Te Pou and Liam Hehir join Lynn to discuss Fair Pay Agreements and the impact on business, business sentiment and confidence, the Prime Minister's first overseas trip and the candour of Louisa Wall upon her exit. Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member.