Letter No.29
27 November, 1995

7 November 1995

A Lampen national survey indicates a skills shortage looming in NZ, with businesses saying that it is especially difficult to find staff in the areas of sales and marketing, secretarial, accounts and accounting, computer and customer services.

Nearly three quarters of family doctors surveyed say that patients are delaying seeing them because of cost.

The Alliance releases its industrial relations policies proposing 12 weeks paid parental leave, a minimum wage of $10 an hour, and an extra week's holiday a year.

Lockwood Smith re-proposes ideas for a voucher system to fund students instead of schools.

8 November 1995

CHOGM protest action begins with Sue Bradford being one of thirteen arrested outside Aotea Square.

10 November 1995

The CHOGM Conference officially opens in Auckland.

The Council for Trade Unions believes that proposed tax cuts will do nothing for the poor. CTU economist Peter Harris says that any gains would be offset by higher charges for government services.

Dr Frank Darby, an expert on physical stress in the workplace, says that employers are not hiring workers with a previous history of occupational overuse syndrome, also known as RSI.

11 November 1995

A plan for Fletcher Challenge and Maori interests to buy the Forestry Corporation could create a super-company valued at more than $2 billion. It would be the biggest state asset sale since the sale of Telecom in 1991.

15 November 1995

Nearly 800 thousand civilian federal workers in the United States are sent home after the White House and Congress fail to agree on a budget for federal government. President Clinton vetoed a short-term funding bill because it contained changes to the Medicare programme that he found unacceptable.

16 November 1995

France faces widespread street protests as the Prime Minister, Mr Juppe, announces severe cuts to France's social security system.

NZers are spending $3 billion a year on gambling, and this is tipped to reach $4.5 billion by 1996-97.

17 November 1995

There has been a 25% jump in the value of building consents issued in the past year, which the Master Builders' Federation says reflects business confidence in building investments.

Average wages are up by 2.7% in the last year, bringing the total average hourly earnings to $15.68 an hour. This is the largest annual increase since November 1991.

Shorter training programmes for teachers is being promoted by polytechs and private providers wanting to get into teacher education. The primary teachers union believes that cabinet has already approved a shorter training period, as a way to deal with teacher shortages.

Up to 650 Wellington City Council staff could lose their jobs when the council contracts out some public services from July 1997.

Grassroots farming pressure on banks is hoping to ease the plight of thousands of debt-ridden sheep and beef farmers. A farming lobby group is pushing for banks to provide lower floating interest rates for farmers in much the same way as the rates are reduced for home owners.

18 November 1995

The Salvation Army and Telecom have formally set up a charitable partnership which includes the `Give a Family a Break' holiday programme, and support for fundraising during the Sallies National Appeal.

Government-funded newspaper ads for the country's first citizens-initiated referendum are missing one key fact: what the poll is all about. The ads do not mention that the poll is about job cuts to the Fire Service.

19 November 1995

The APEC free-trade deal is wrapped up at a special meeting in Osaka, Japan. The deal aims to liberalise all trade sectors by 2010 for developed countries and 2020 for developing countries. Jim Bolger says that NZers may soon pay less for clothing, footwear, cars and vehicle parts as a result of the new agreement.

Labour unveils its election year strategy with a party rally in Auckland and a new 12-point agenda of policies. They plan to get rid of the superannuation surcharge, means testing for student allowances, and prescription charges. Newly elected Labour President Michael Hirschfeld wants a truce between Labour and the Alliance.

Universities report a huge increase in the use of counselling services by students, who face a combination of financial, performance and employment pressures.

20 November 1995

The longest government shut-down in United States history comes to an end after Bill Clinton agrees to Republican demands for a balanced budget in seven years.