No 90-day trial periods for Hutt City

Media release
VAN – Valley Action Network
19 August 2010

Union members and supporters will be taking action around the country this weekend in support of Fairness at Work. Candidates and supporters from VAN – Valley Action Network will be joining Saturday's rally in Wellington.

 “This is a major issue for voters in the upcoming local body elections”, said VAN spokesperson Grant Brookes, “especially in Lower Hutt.

 “The Hutt City Council elections are about what sort of city we want to create. The actions of the council set the tone for the whole community.

 “Hutt City Council has a responsibility to set a positive example in how it treats the many hard-working people providing its services – not just for the sake of council employees, but for all residents.

 “The government is planning more than a dozen law changes to undermine everyone’s rights at work, including 90-day ‘trial periods’ when all new workers can be sacked unfairly, and restrictions on the ability of union organisers to support union members on the job.

 “VAN supports Fairness at Work, and opposes the impact that the law changes will have on the grassroots residents of Lower Hutt.

 “Unfortunately, many of the current councillors privately support these changes. One Harbour Ward councillor even wrote an article in the Hutt News last year publicly supporting 90-day trials.

 “The good news is that some employers are giving commitments now that even if the laws are passed, they won’t be using 90 day trial periods and won’t stop unions from supporting their members at work. 

“If VAN candidates are elected, we pledge to make Hutt City Council a fair workplace and give these same positive commitments.”

See more at: www.huttvan.org.nz www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128328787200169

Hutt network backs water protest, launches Council election bid

Media Release
VAN - Valley Action Network
12 June, 2010

VAN - Valley Action Network is backing a protest against water privatisation at Hutt City Council Building at 12 noon today.

VAN is expressing opposition to both the Local Government Act Amendment Bill and to water meters, and is simultaneously launching its election campaign for Hutt City Council.

"Privatisation of water is the last thing we need", said VAN organizer Grant Brookes. "Hutt residents are already facing the squeeze from GST increases, and from mortgage and rent rises, while our incomes are threatened by global economic woes.

"Water privatisation will only add to the financial strain facing grassroots Hutt residents. It won't save our natural water resources. International experience suggests that the profit motive encourages private owners to sell more water, not conserve it, and to cut costs on fixing leaky pipes.

"The so-called 'protection' against water privatisation in our current law is full of holes", added Grant.

The Local Government Act passed by the Labour government states that a council "must not divest its ownership or other interest in a water service". But a council may transfer assets to a "Council Controlled Organisation".

"Councils can then sell off 50 percent of the so-called 'Council Controlled Organisation' to private investors", Grant said. "This kind of "public-private partnership" is the most common form of water privatisation world-wide.

"As if the current law wasn't bad enough, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide wants to extend the length of time that companies can manage water from 15 to 35 years. The bill will also allow private companies, as well as the so-called 'Council Controlled Organisations', to own water utilities.

"But businesses looking to get into in water supply will want a customer base and a product they can sell. That's where domestic water meters come in. Water meters enable water to be sold to households by the litre. They're the linch-pin of privatisation.

"Today, there's a small army of consultants lobbying councils around New Zealand to introduce water meters.

Hutt City councillors, and the current mayor, have expressed interest in water meters, while distancing themselves from introduction at this stage because they know meters are unpopular.

But Capacity Infrastructure Services, the water management company for Wellington and Lower Hutt, is recommending universal water metering right now.

"Capacity is half-controlled by Hutt City", said Grant. "According to its latest Annual Report, the Council 'has significant influence over it'. What influence is the Council exerting over water meters?

"I don't think we can rely on our current Council to stop water meters and privatisation. Residents need to come together to take action. Protests, meetings and submissions on Rodney Hide's bill are needed to raise awareness and put pressure on decision-makers.

"In Auckland, where water meters were introduced from 1991, some residents engaged in civil disobedience by organising disconnection of the meters.

"But while grassroots action is needed, Hutt City residents can also use their vote this October to stop water meters and privatisation."

VAN - Valley Action Network, is standing for election in October with a policy of opposition to water meters and water privatisation.

For more information, contact:

Grant Brookes
Organiser, VAN - Valley Action Network
www.huttvan.org.nz
organiser (at) huttvan (dot) org (dot) nz
021 053 2973

New grassroots coalition to stand for Hutt City Council

(From the August issue of Workers Charter newspaper)

For years, local body politics in Lower Hutt has been under the sway of the Right.

Hutt City Council is one of the last bastions of the ACT Party, who work closely with Christian conservatives and local business people.

Nearly two thirds of residents didn't bother to vote at the last election – one of the lowest turnouts in the country.

But now a new force has emerged to drive out the Right in this October's elections: VAN – Valley Action Network.

"VAN started from discussions among Workers Charter readers in the Hutt Valley", says organiser Grant Brookes, "though our support network is now much broader than that.

"Everyone agreed that the Council is completely out of step with the people. And we all wanted to do something about it."

"We were also inspired by other grassroots election campaigns, like WECAN in Canterbury and RAM (Residents Action Movement) in Auckland."

Environmental issues are prominent in VAN's campaign. There's widespread feeling that the Council's been lenient towards repeated environmental breaches by the Exide battery plant. They've also rejected calls to take action on climate change.

"Many Hutt City residents live on low-lying land beside a major river. So for us, climate change is a special concern", says Brookes.

"Three quarters of New Zealanders now have councils committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a scheme called Communities for Climate Change Protection – New Zealand (CCP-NZ).

"In our region, Wellington City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have all signed up. Yet Hutt City Council has ignored calls to join with CCP-NZ and start curbing greenhouse gases.

"Hutt City has the most polluted urban waterways in the country. The clean-up is urgent, but the Council is dragging its feet."

Rates refunds have been given to big corporations, while the council threatens to close libraries and swimming pools.

Hutt South is a safe Labour parliamentary seat for Trevor Mallard. But the Labour-backed local body ticket, Hutt 2020, has flopped at the last four elections.

Hutt 2020 lets people from all political persuasions into its ranks, including some ACT Party members. So not surprisingly, they can't take a strong, united stand on principles and end up campaigning on personalities. The local branch of the Green Party is formally under Hutt 2020's umbrella, but no Greens will stand for them this time.

"VAN's campaign is about issues, not personalities", insists Grant. "We're not looking for high-flier candidates." Instead, VAN is standing on six policy points:

• A Human City – Putting people before business interests.
• A Green City – Action on climate change, zero tolerance for polluters.
• Grassroots Democracy – Community Boards for all, with extra powers.
• Rates Justice – Reductions based on need. Low-income families before greedy corporations.
• Free Council Services – Not just protected but extended.
• Free and Frequent Public Transport – It makes climate sense and serves the people."

VAN's vision statement also declares, "If elected, we will use our positions on council to give voice to community campaigns for social justice and environmental sanity. We will encourage residents to come together to discuss solutions and take action with us."

Brookes says, "If a community organisation or campaign group has something they want reflected in our policies, we'd like to hear from them. We're also after volunteers and donations – these can come from outside the area as well, obviously – and more candidates."

VAN's campaign has drawn attention from the local media, with the Petone Herald featuring an article on the campaign alongside statements from the five mayoral candidates. "This shows that VAN is perceived on a par with local council tickets", said Brookes.

Nominations for candidates close on 24 August and postal voting takes place from 21 September to 13 October.

For more information, phone Grant Brookes on (021) 053 2973, email organiser (at) huttvan.org.nz or go to www.huttvan.org.nz.

Donations can be sent to Valley Action Network, Kiwibank acct no. 38-9006-0684109-00.