#nzpol 1/2 At the start of 2025 we ran our annual Mood of the Workforce survey. Since then it's been a tough year for working people and their whānau - before we head into 2026, take a look at how workers were feeling at the start of this year:

New GDP data from Stats NZ shows that the economy is flatlining – and is still smaller than it was at the election. For all their talk of green shoots, the Govt continues to fail workers. Unemployment is up, and cost of living is rising for middle and low-income New Zealanders. #nzpol

The Government has just rushed through its voter suppression law. The Electoral Amendment Bill will disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters—it has no place in a healthy democracy. #nzpol

#nzpol Today the government announced that the minimum wage will rise by 2% in April 2026. On current forecasts this will represent the 3rd successive year in which minimum wage workers will face a real terms cut in pay. Over 3 years full time workers are $4,184 worse off. A 🧵

The National-led Government is leaving low-paid workers behind. They've increased the Minimum Wage by 2% from April 1st 2026 - marking the third year in a row that the Minimum Wage will have fallen behind inflation. #nzpol

#Uber drivers took Uber to Court and WON! You may be owed backpay for lost wages, holiday pay and other entitlements. If you have been driving for six years or longer you need to sign up NOW, or you may lose back pay. Join: www.workersfirst.nz/uber/ FAQ: www.workersfirst.nz/uber/faq-ube...

Putting workers into more precarious work helps no-one - except for the wealthy multinationals that this Bill benefits. The Employment Relations Amendment Bill should be scrapped. #nzpol #NZpolitics

This Bill threatens every worker in New Zealand. Brooke van Velden's Employment Relations Amendment Bill has come back from Select Committee - and she's made it EVEN WORSE for workers. #nzpol union.org.nz/employment-b...

“Grey said it was time for “different economic choices". She said Labour needed to "give workers a reason to vote for" them, and to "deliver" fundamental and systemic change.” #nzpol

Why is it "frankly disgusting" for parents and schools to stand up for what THEY believe is right for their tamariki? Why is the PM allowing his MPs to spread anti-worker, anti-Te Tiriti disinformation on social media? #nzpol

RADICAL IDEAS FOR RADICAL PROBLEMS Our new policy paper, Take the Power Back, is live: www.workersfirst.nz/news/take-th... #nzpol #takethepowerback

People Watching: 'Mega-strike' - Healthcare staff, educators and firefighters march in central Auckland on a Thursday

#nzpol THE FIGHT'S NOT OVER for Uber drivers and their unions, despite their victory in the Supreme Court last week. The Government is looking to pass the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (ERAB) which will redefine contractor law in line with Uber's wish list.

1/9 Let's debunk 8 common misconceptions about the #Uber judgement! #nzpol

NZ stands with our firefighters ✊ They're facing a Dire Emergency: broken down trucks, dangerous staffing, faulty equipment, and FENZ refusing to address a failing system. Firefighters want to keep New Zealanders safe—but they need FENZ to show up and genuinely prioritise community safety. #nzpol

Stand for more firefighters. Stand for safe staffing. Stand for safe appliances. Stand with us! NZPFU Secretary Wattie Watson speaking at the firefighters' strike in Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington this afternoon. #nzpol

#nzpol Why has asbestos entered our workplaces and education centres? The NZCTU, along with more than 45 unions, educators and health leaders, is calling for an urgent review into the system failures that allowed this to happen:

#nzpol "I've come out of there feeling really unhappy because there's just no guarantees that people who go to work are going to return home safely," "[van Velden] seemed to be focusing all the time on the employers and I sat and listened to it for a little while and then I just couldn't stand it,"

15 years on from the Pike River disaster where their men were killed, Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne explain what a corporate manslaughter law would've meant for them. #nzpol

#nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

#nzpol HOLD BOSSES ACCOUNTABLE FOR WORKPLACE DEATHS: We're calling on the Government to honour the memories of the workers who lost their lives fifteen years ago today at the Pike River Mine by supporting a corporate manslaughter law.

Today marks 15 years since the Pike River mine disaster. Anna and Sonya are meeting with Brooke van Velden today to call for stronger health and safety protections in our country, taking time out of the most precious day of their year to fight for all New Zealanders. #nzpol

#nzpol Tomorrow will mark the 15-year anniversary of the Pike River mine disaster which killed 29 workers, shocked the nation, and opened a conversation about our poor workplace health and safety record. A decade and a half later, we still haven't resolved that conversation. A🧵

#nzpol HUGE VICTORY FOR WORKERS: The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Uber Drivers and their unions, saying that they are employees not contractors. Now the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is calling on the Government to respect this ruling and uphold the rights of platform and gig economy workers:

#nzpol Migration data from Stats NZ today with 72,700 New Zealand citizens leaving in the year to Sept 2025 – one every 7 minutes & 22 seconds. It’s improved marginally, but it's way behind where it should be on Treasury forecasts. That creates a $1bn tax gap against forecast. A 🧵

1/4 UNION MOVEMENT STANDS WITH PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS: At our Conference last month, affiliate unions of the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi passed a motion of solidarity with with public sector workers who are who are fighting for fair pay, safe staffing, and effective services. #nzpol

#nzpol NO SURPRISE UNEMPLOYMENT AT AN ALL TIME HIGH writes NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Sandra Grey:

Thank you to everyone who came to our Biennial Conference this week! Great korero about how we can build an Aotearoa that works for the many, and keep up the fight for workers and their unions both here and overseas. Solidarity ✊ #nzpol

Yesterday was Richard Wagstaff's last day as CTU President. Over the last 10 years, he’s led with humility, strength, and an unwavering belief in people. His leadership has been grounded in deep compassion and faith in our collective strength. We wish him the best in his retirement. #nzpol

Today Sandra Grey became President of the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi. She sat down with outgoing President Richard Wagstaff to talk about about the role, the growth of the unions, the future of the movement, and the power of working people. #nzpol

“WE OWE IT TO WORKING PEOPLE TO BE OUR BEST” Today is Richard Wagstaff’s last day as President of the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi. He sat down with incoming President Sandra Grey, and they spoke about the importance of centering working people in their mahi. Full interview will be posted tomorrow. #nzpol

1/2 Outgoing CTU President Richard Wagstaff speaking with his predecessor Helen Kelly. Today marks the last day of Richard's presidency, in which he’s been a fierce defender for working people, health and safety, and strong unions. #nzpol

1/5 A NEW DEAL FOR WORKERS: Today the NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi announced the core policies workers need from any future progressive Government. Workers need GOOD WORK, FAIR WAGES, and STRONG UNIONS. These are the non-negotiables. #nzpol

"Rā Whakamana is about recognising the mana of our wāhine, our workers, our rangatahi and tangata whenua, and coming together to create kotahitanga, strength and unity against this government and the attacks that are happening across all fronts," #nzpol

Unions are made of workers

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our public service workers today ✊ #nzpol

#nzpol Rally in your rohe get cancelled? NZNO and NZEI Te Riu Roa will be livestreaming the Auckland rally and speeches. Tune in to hear from frontline workers, union leaders, and community voices standing together to save our public services. www.facebook.com/share/1D5LRN...

#nzpol I never thought that I would see the day when the Public Service Commission was used as an attack arm of the government. National Party polling must be telling them how popular the strikes are, and how unpopular they are. They are afraid. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

#nzpol International solidarity for today’s mega strike ✊🇬🇧

#nzpol International solidarity for today’s strikes from the U.K’s General Federation of Trade Unions ✊ Some rallies have been cancelled but the STRIKES ARE STILL ON—check the Public Service Association’s page for more details: www.psa.org.nz/campaigns/23...

Read the full release: union.org.nz/inflation-ri...

Today marks 53 years, over half a century, since we passed the Equal Pay Act in New Zealand... but the Luxon Government has taken us backwards. #nzpol

Richard Wagstaff on Collins' open letter: "The Government consistently demonstrates they are out of touch with the realities of workers...Previous National-led governments have found ways through industrial disputes in the past. We need to see leadership not politics from this Government." #nzpol

#nzpol CTU Secretary @melansellbridges.bsky.social had a thing or two to say to Minister Judith Collins after her open letter on Sunday.

✊🏼 @nzctu.bsky.social #nzpol

DIRE EMERGENCY 2,000 New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union members walked off the job across the motu today to fight for safe staffing, working equipment, and better conditions. The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi stands with the NZPFU in their fight to keep our communities safe. #nzpol

#BREAKING Rā Whakamana locations have just DROPPED. On the 28th of October we're gathering across the motu as iwi and unions to mark the signing of He Whakaputanga and the first Labour Day. Go to together.org.nz to find an event in your rohe and sign up for email updates. #nzpol