ASMS Direct - Issue 2011-28
15 December 2011
We welcome any feedback on the contents of the 28th issue for 2011 of ASMS Direct, our national electronic publication. This issue covers:
- 1. Membership Ballot on Provisional Agreement for the next National DHB MECA
- 2. 40th Anniversary: University of Otago, Christchurch (formerly Christchurch School of Medicine), 5-7 September 2012
- 3. Locked-out meat employees seek financial support for their families
- 4. Reminder: Nominations called for Medical Council
1. Membership Ballot on Provisional Agreement for the next National DHB MECA
The closing date for returned ballots is 5pm today (Thursday 15 December). If you want to vote, are employed by a DHB, and have yet to do so, you can fax your ballot paper to 04 499-4500 or forward it electronically to the national office at asms@asms.org.nz. It is tight for time to vote but not too late if you are quick.
On Monday evening (19 December) the National Executive will hold a teleconference to assess whether this indicative ballot provides a mandate for it to ratify (or not) the provisional agreement. As soon as practical next week we will advise you of the outcome.
2. 40th Anniversary: University of Otago, Christchurch (formerly Christchurch School of Medicine), 5-7 September 2012
This event to celebrate 40 years of teaching and research in Christchurch was originally set for February 2012 but because of earthquakes our celebrations have been shifted to September. In 1973 the first intake of 4th year medical students enrolled at Otago University, Christchurch (then the Christchurch School of Medicine).
The celebrations will also be an acknowledgement of the impact of Canterbury earthquakes on staff and students, and recognising their bright future. They will include a series of social functions in Christchurch, beginning with a keynote address by Sir Michael Marmot, world-renowned health inequalities researcher and advocate. The programme includes:
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Wednesday-Friday, 5 7 September: Scientific Sessions.
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Thursday 6 September: Alumni Reception.
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Friday 7 September: Anniversary Dinner.
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The publication of a book covering the school’s highlights and its future direction.
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The establishment of a research trust to fund fellowships and scholarships on the Christchurch campus.
If you would like to be part of the celebrations register your interest by completing an online form at www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch. There is also a 40th anniversary button on this page. For more information you can email Virginia Irvine (virginia.irvine@otago.ac.nz) or Kim Thomas (kim.thomas@otago.ac.nz).
3. Locked-out meat employees seek financial support for their families
Generally when industrial disputes escalate a well known response is a strike in which the employees, fully or partially, ‘withdraw their labour’. What is much less commonly known is when the employer ‘locks out’ their employees (that is, the employees want to continue working but are prevented from doing so and are no longer paid). This is what has happened in Rangitikei although for much of the time this has been below the media radar because of their preoccupation with the general election. Employees at the Rangitikei branch of the Canterbury Meat Company’s CMP meat plant were locked out on 19 October. About 100 employees are now into their ninth week of being locked out from the meat processing plant.
The background is that before 19 October the company put all employees on annual leave for a week and during that week they contacted the employees, one at a time – many of them migrant employees – and offered them individual employment agreements containing pay cuts of between 20-30%. CMP Rangitikei management assert that pay rates were being cut to make the plant more competitive.
The Company told them that if they accepted, the lockout notice would not apply to them and that the employees were also required to leave the union (New Zealand Meat Employees Union) in order to sign the new, inferior employment agreements.
The employees, predominantly Maori, have made a collective response and offered to take a pay cut of 10% but the company still insists on a 20% cut. The average wage at the plant is around $45,000, with the lowest paid employees getting around $23,000. Mediation has failed twice and while ‘facilitated bargaining’ (a mechanism under the Employment Relations Act) is set for next week, there is not that much hope, given this company’s position, that this dispute will be settled quickly. The employees and their union are being supported by the Council of Trade Unions (CTU).
So far unions have raised over $140,000 for these employees but more is needed and financial commitments sustained over the Christmas period if the dispute is not settled. It is outside the brief of the ASMS to make a donation but members are free to do so if they wish. Around $25,000 a week needs to be raised to keep these families fed and ensure their power supply. With Christmas approaching, life is tough for these employees and their families. There are hundreds of children affected.
Donations can be made directly to the CTU Disputes Fund. The account name is ‘Disputes Fund’: The account number is 38 9007 0894028 08 (Kiwi Bank).
4. Reminder: Nominations called for Medical Council
The Medical Council has called for nominations for appointment to the Medical Council. During March 2012 the medical profession will vote to choose four medical practitioners to the Medical Council.
In accordance with the governing legislation the names of the four highest polling candidates will be forwarded by the Chair of the Council to the Minister of Health with a recommendation that they be appointed as members of the Council for a three-year term from June 2012.
Nominations must be received by the Council by noon on Friday, 20 January 2012, with voting papers being dispatched on Friday, 24 February. Voting papers must be received at the Council on Friday, 23 March 2012 (noon). The nomination form, election process details and counting rules are posted on the Council’s website. It is important to show by voting and participating in this election, that the profession take this right seriously and respect the acknowledgement of the importance of professionalism.
Kind regards
Ian Powell
executive director
