A Guide from NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi
"We must always fight for social advance and political change - we live in an unfair and unequal world so trade unions must always be immersed in campaigning for a better society."
Mick Lynch
Trade unions exist to improve the lives of working people. Through organising, campaigning and lobbying, we have won better wages, safer workplaces, better leave provisions and stronger public services. But it also means changing the laws and policies that shape our economy and society.
Lobbying is one way we do that. It is how working people make sure political decisions are not made only by corporations and wealthy interests.
Lobbying is about broadening participation in democracy and making sure working people's voices are heard in the places where decisions are made. When more good ideas are heard, especially those coming from workers and communities, democracy works better.
The most important step is getting started. The more you engage with decision-makers, the more confident and effective you will become.
Who Do We Lobby?
Lobbying is engaging with people who have real or perceived power to influence decisions.
For example, when you raise issues in your workplace that becomes part of your collective agreement, you've successfully lobbied for change.
When you post a video to your social media about an issue that matters to you, that's lobbying. When you share a campaign or petition, that's also lobbying.
In an election year, it's important that the issues that matter to you are heard by those seeking power.
Who to lobby?
- Politicians: local councillors, Members of Parliament, Ministers
- Policy makers: political party officials and activists, caucus researchers, and government department officials
- Local and regional government leaders
