"Workers Bear the Brunt": CTU Demands Seat at the Table in Fuel Crisis Talks

The NZ Council of Trade Unions has issued an open letter demanding the government include workers and community groups in fuel crisis planning, warning against "opaque" discussions with big business.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 5:35 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Call for Transparency

In the letter, Grey urged political parties to set aside ideological differences to manage the crisis in the interests of all New Zealanders, rather than just corporate stakeholders.

Key Demands from the CTU:

Inclusive Dialogue: Expanding government talks to include unions, community groups, and small businesses.

Short-term Mitigation: Urgent cross-party collaboration on immediate solutions to ease the financial pressure on workers.

Long-term Transition: Developing a definitive plan to move New Zealand’s economy away from a reliance on petrol, gas, and diesel.