The new union "E tū" was launched today. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and the Service and Food Workers’ Union merged to form E tū, making it the largest private sector union in NZ.
E tū union will represent over 50,000 working New Zealanders in a range of industries including construction, journalism, mining, cleaning and aviation.
E tū national secretary, Bill Newson says, “By combining two large unions with proud legacies of organising and activism, we’ve created a platform to drive change, for our members and their communities.
We’re here to help you achieve higher wages, better conditions and fair employment laws. We’ll win because we’re stronger as a collective.”
The Green Party has also come out in support of the new union.
Green Party Workplace Relations and Safety spokesperson, Denise Roche says, “There is strength in numbers, with all the evidence showing that people who are unionised and bargain collectively get better pay and working conditions than those who are left to fend for themselves in negotiations.”