AIDE MEMOIRE
Meeting with executive members of NZ Unions
Date:
17 May 2024
Priority:
Medium
Security
In Confidence
Tracking
2324-3489
classification:
number:
Purpose
You have agreed to meet with Rachael Mortimer, President of the
Teachers’ Professional
Association of New Zealand, and Chris Dekker, the secretary of
NZ Unions, on Wednesday 22
May from 3:30pm to 4pm.
Beth Goodwin
Manager, Employment Relations Policy Labour, Science and Enterprise, MBIE
17 / 05 / 2024
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Background
1.
On Wednesday 22 May from 3:30pm to 4pm, you will be meeting with two members of
NZ
Unions:
• Rachael Mortimer, the President of the
Teachers’ Professional Association of New
Zealand and
• Chris Dekker, the secretary of
NZ Unions.
2.
Deborah Cunliffe
, the President of
Nurses Professional Association of New Zealand who
initiated the meeting, is no longer able to attend the meeting and sends her apologies.
3.
This is an introductory meeting and an opportunity to learn more about the
NZ Unions’ model
as well as discuss upcoming changes to employment legislation.
Overview of NZ Unions’ structure
4.
The
Red Union Support Hub (Red Unions) is an Australian umbrella organisation overseeing
13 industry associations for employees (e.g., nurses, teachers, doctors). It has more than
20,000 members in Australia.
5.
Red Unions started servicing New Zealand employees when the
Nurses Professional
Association of New Zealand registered as a union in February 2023.
6.
NZ Unions is a sister organisation of Red Unions and now comprises three unions:
• The
Teachers’ Professional Association of New Zealand (TPANZ)
• The
Nurses Professional Association of New Zealand (NPANZ)
• The
New Zealand Medical Professionals’ Society (NZMPS) – this one does not
appear to be registered.
7.
NZ Unions’ website states that they provide their members support on a variety of workplace
issues, collective bargaining, and advocacy on workplace conditions, but otherwise
information about their services online is sparse. Their website doesn’t detail the size of their
membership.
8.
NZ Unions say they offer an alternative to other unions affiliated to the New Zealand Council
of Trade Unions (NZCTU), which they are independent from. They distinguish themselves by
being led by workers and not union officials.
Potential topics for discussion
9.
In their initial email sent in December 2023,
NZ Unions wished to discuss the impact of Fair
Pay Agreements, 90 day-trials and contractors’ status on their members (e.g., nurses and
teachers). We assume that Fair Pay Agreements and 90-day trials will not be discussed
since the intention of the meeting is to discuss future changes to employment legislation.
10. You may also wish to seek
NZ Unions’ perspective on existing work and your priorities in the
Workplace Relations and Safety Portfolio, such as simplifying personal grievances and the
reform of the Holidays Act 2003.
11. Talking points are provided in relation to the below topics in Annex One.
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NZ Unions may want to discuss mutually beneficial approaches to negotiating collective
agreements
12.
NZ Unions have indicated an interest in discussing mutually beneficial approaches to
negotiating collective agreements in this meeting.
13. We think this is referring to an interest-based approach to bargaining, focussed on joint
problem solving and finding common ground. It encourages brainstorming and creative
thinking for both parties in addressing common interests. You may want to mention that
MBIE’s website www.employment.govt.nz sets out information on interest-based bargaining,
including its benefits, and MBIE’s mediators can help with interest-based bargaining.
Next steps
14. Officials can be made available to attend this meeting at your request.
Annexes
Annex One: Biography of attendees
Annex Two: Talking points
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Annex One: Biography of attendees
Rachael Mortimer
Rachael is currently the President of the Teachers’ Professional
Association of New Zealand, head of humanities and a Dean at a
school in Canterbury. She has been working in education for over 15
years.
Rachael advocates for educators’ work conditions in her free time.
Chris Dekker
Chris Dekker is the Australian-based secretary of
NZ Unions as well
as the Director of Industrial Relations at Red Unions in Australia.
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Annex two: Talking points
Introduction – learning more about NZ Unions
• I hear that you officially registered 2 unions last year, for teachers and nurses
professionals. How have your organisations grown since then?
• How do you differentiate yourselves from other unions in New Zealand?
Contractor status
• This Government wishes to ensure businesses and workers who explicitly agree to a
contracting arrangement have certainty about the nature of that relationship.
• I have asked my officials for advice on policy options to increase certainty in contracting
relationships, while minimising harm to workers.
• I am interested to hear the views of a wide range of stakeholders, so I appreciate you
meeting with me today.
• What issues have you heard from your members in relation to contractor / employee
status?
• It would be great to hear more about what you would like changes to the Employment
Relations Act to achieve.
Simplifying personal grievances
• The Government is committed to considering simplifying personal grievances and in
particular, removing the eligibility for remedies if the employee is at fault, and setting an
income threshold above which a personal grievance could not be pursued.
• Do your organisations have views on how we could simplify personal grievances?
Holidays Act
• I am aware of the issues with the Holidays Act and that these have been a longstanding
concern for employers and payroll providers, particularly the lack of clarity and prescription
which make it difficult to apply in practice.
• Have your members been facing similar issues?
(If raised) Mutually beneficial approaches during collective bargaining
• I know that MBIE’s website sets out information on interest-based bargaining, including its
benefits, and MBIE’s mediators can help with interest-based bargaining.
• Do you see any role for government in shifting collective bargaining to a more interest-
based approach?
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From:
Zach Boyle
Sent:
Wednesday, 15 May 2024 1:54 pm
To:
Jenesa Jeram
Subject:
FW: Meeting with Hon Brooke van Velden
FYI re the attendees for next Wednesday - Rival unions for teachers, nurses and doctors launched by anti-vaccine
figures | New Zealand Doctor (nzdoctor.co.nz)
From: Deborah Cunliffe <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 1:49 PM
To: Zach Boyle <[email address]>; Chris Dekker <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Meeting with Hon Brooke van Velden
Hi Zach
Thanks for getting in touch.
At this stage, my colleagues Mr Chris Dekker (Secretary NPANZ/NZ Unions) and Mrs Rachael Mortimer (President
TPANZ) will be in attendance. I am sadly unable to join them on this occasion.
They would very much like to share the NZ Unions model plus discuss potential changes to employment relations
legislation and mutually beneficial approaches to negotiating collective agreements.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require further information.
Kind regards
Deborah Cunliffe
President NPANZ
On Wed, 15 May 2024 at 10:09, Zach Boyle <[email address]> wrote:
Hi Deborah,
Hope you’re well.
I’m reaching out regarding your meeting with Hon Brooke van Velden next Wednesday 22 May at 3:30 – 4pm. I’m
wondering if you’re able to give me a sense of what you plan to discuss with the Minister? I’m just mindful that the
original invite came in some time ago!
Very happy to discuss if you want to give me a call at the number in my email signature below.
Thanks
1
From:
Jenesa Jeram
Sent:
Friday, 17 May 2024 3:57 pm
To:
Florence Faumuina
Subject:
FW: Soft copy of AM for NZ Unions meeting
Attachments:
2324-3489 Meeting with executive members of NZ Unions.pdf
Hey Florence,
This meeting is happening on Wednesday. I’ll come over and chat to you about it.
Here’s some articles for background: https://www.stu .co.nz/nz-news/350182750/rival-unions-teachers-
nurses-and-doctors-launched-anti-vaccine-figures; https://www.stu .co.nz/nz-
news/350186655/testimonials-new-unions-arent-quite-what-they-seem
Jenesa Jeram
Senior Ministerial Advisor | Office of Hon Brooke van Velden
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
MP for Tāmaki
Senior Ministerial Advisor (non portfolio) | Office of Hon David Seymour
s 9(2)(a)
Email: [email address] Website: www.Beehive,govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
From: Zach Boyle <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2024 1:44 PM
To: Jenesa Jeram <[email address]>
Subject: Soft copy of AM for NZ Unions meeting
FYI a so copy of the AM for the NZ Unions mee ng next Wednesday.
Thanks
Zach Boyle
Private Secretary (Workplace Relations and Safety) | Office of Hon Brooke van Velden
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
MP for Tāmaki
s 9(2)(a)
Email: [email address] Website: www.Beehive,govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
1
From:
Chris Dekker <[email address]>
Sent:
Thursday, 23 May 2024 12:00 pm
To:
Zach Boyle
Cc:
Deborah Cunliffe
Subject:
Re: Meeting with Hon Brooke van Velden
Hi Zach,
Just confirming as I forgot to address it in my last email - we're happy to meet at Parliamentary reception today for
our meeting at 2pm. Is there any protocol or checking-in process we need to follow?
Thanks,
Chris Dekker
General Manager
NZ Unions
M: 04 887 6300
[email address] | www.unions.co.nz
This is a confidential email message. This and any attachments are intended for the addressee only. Its use is limited to that intended
by the author at the time and is not to be distributed without the author's consent. The contents are confidential and subject to
copyright protection by law. Information or opinions expressed in this email are those of the author. If you have received this email in
error, please notify the author and delete this message.
On Wed, 22 May 2024 at 16:37, Chris Dekker <[email address]> wrote:
Hi Zach,
2pm works absolutely perfectly for us. Thank you for being so accommodating.
Sincerely,
Chris Dekker
General Manager
NZ Unions
M: 04 887 6300
[email address] | www.unions.co.nz
This is a confidential email message. This and any attachments are intended for the addressee only. Its use is limited to that intended
by the author at the time and is not to be distributed without the author's consent. The contents are confidential and subject to
copyright protection by law. Information or opinions expressed in this email are those of the author. If you have received this email in
error, please notify the author and delete this message.
On Wed, 22 May 2024 at 16:31, Zach Boyle <[email address]> wrote:
Hey Chris,
No worries - how about 2pm?
1
At this stage, my colleagues Mr Chris Dekker (Secretary NPANZ/NZ Unions) and Mrs Rachael Mortimer
(President TPANZ) will be in attendance. I am sadly unable to join them on this occasion.
They would very much like to share the NZ Unions model plus discuss potential changes to
employment relations legislation and mutually beneficial approaches to negotiating collective agreements.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require further information.
Kind regards
Deborah Cunliffe
President NPANZ
On Wed, 15 May 2024 at 10:09, Zach Boyle <[email address]> wrote:
Hi Deborah,
Hope you’re well.
I’m reaching out regarding your meeting with Hon Brooke van Velden next Wednesday 22 May at 3:30 – 4pm.
I’m wondering if you’re able to give me a sense of what you plan to discuss with the Minister? I’m just mindful
that the original invite came in some time ago!
Very happy to discuss if you want to give me a call at the number in my email signature below.
Thanks
Zach Boyle
Private Secretary (Workplace Relations and Safety) | Office of Hon Brooke van Velden
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
MP for Tāmaki
5
7
Ainsleyana Puleiata
From:
Deborah Cunliffe <[email address]>
Sent:
Friday, 19 April 2024 12:57 pm
To:
Brooke van Velden (MIN)
Subject:
Re: INV060 Re: Meeting request
Dear Cami
Thank you for the opportunity to spend some time with Minster Van Velden on Thursday 23rd May 2024 at 3.30pm
On behalf of my team I accept this invitation and look forward to meeting with you on this occasion
Kind regards
Deborah
On Wed, 17 Apr 2024 at 15:29, Brooke van Velden (MIN) <[email address]> wrote:
Dear Deborah,
On behalf of Hon Brooke van Velden thank you again for the meeting request below, and sincere apologies for the
delay in response.
The Minister would be pleased to set up a time with you. There is a slot on 23 May, 3.30 - 4.00 PM in the Minister’s
office if that would suit?
Thank you again for writing, the Minister looks forward to getting a meeting locked in.
Kind regards,
Cami Van Ausdall
Private Secretary (Executive Support) | Office of Hon Brooke van Velden
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
MP for Tāmaki
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Authorised by Hon Brooke van Velden, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
1
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission
error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient,
any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or
constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting
was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If
you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The
location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official
Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we
hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or
are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive
release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releases#MS
From: Brooke van Velden (MIN)
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 5:46 PM
To: Deborah Cunliffe <[email address]>
Subject: RE: INV060 Re: Meeting request
Dear Deborah,
On behalf of Hon Brooke van Velden thank you for your invitation to meet.
Apologies it is taking some time to come back to you, I recognise it has been a while, I am very sorry about that.
This message is just to assure you that this is still on our radar, and I will come back to you as soon as possible.
Will be in touch soon and thanks so much for your patience.
Kind regards,
Cami
Office of Hon Brooke van Velden
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
2
MP for Tāmaki
Website: www.Beehive,govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
Authorised by Hon Brooke van Velden, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Disclaimer: The information in this email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If an addressing or transmission
error has misdirected this email, please notify the author by replying to this email and destroy the message. If you are not the intended recipient,
any use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Please note information about meetings related to the Ministers’ portfolios will be proactively released (this does not include personal or
constituency matters). For each meeting in scope, the summary would list: date, time (start and finish), brief description, location, who the meeting
was with, and the portfolio. If you attend a meeting with the Minister on behalf of an organisation, the name of the organisation will be released. If
you are a senior staff member at an organisation, or meet with the Minister in your personal capacity, your name may also be released. The
location of the meeting will be released, unless it is a private residence. The proactive release will be consistent with the provisions in the Official
Information Act, including privacy considerations. Under the Privacy Act 1993 you have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we
hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, or
are concerned about the release of your information in the meeting disclosure, please contact the sender. You can read more about the proactive
release policy at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Releases#MS
From: Deborah Cunliffe <[email address]>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2024 10:24 PM
To: Brooke van Velden <[email address]>
Subject: INV060 Re: Meeting request
Dear Minister Van Velden
Further to my previous emails (December 2023 and February 2024), and on behalf of NZ
Unions, I would appreciate the opportunity of meeting with you to discuss issues facing our
members in the education and health sectors, and in your capacity as Minister of Internal
Affairs and for Workplace Relations and Safety
Your admin team indicated that you would meet with myself and representatives from NZ
Unions early in the New Year and we therefore look forward to hearing from you with a
mutually convenient date.
3
Kind regards
Deborah Cunliffe
Operations Director
NZ Unions
E: [email address]
P: + 64 4 887 6880
To help p otect you p ivacy Mic osoft O fice p evented automatic download of this p ctu e f om the
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--
Deborah Cunliffe
President - NPANZ
E: [email address]
P: + 64 4 887 6880
To help p o ect you p ivacy M c osoft Off ce p evented au omat c download of th s pictu e f om the
Inte net
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