NUPE

Martin attended Otago University gaining a degree in Commerce majoring in Economics, including some post-graduate study, which he completed in 1973. His interest in Economics was stimulated by questions of why and how social and economic injustice occurs and his studies were a fairly mainstream approach including models of Galbraith, Sutch and Keynes. Martin then went into secondary teaching with Economics and Accounting as specialist subjects.

As a union activist and delegate Martin was involved in the secondary teachers union Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) over the years at school both regionally (Canterbury) and at a national level. During this time Martin spent two spells as a full time elected president of the PPTA in 1992-93 and 1996-98.

Martin was motivated to fight for social justice as a Unionist rather than via political parties by the actions of the Lange/Douglas Fourth Labour Government’s cost cutting, hand washing approach to education, health and the state sector in general through the 1980s. He is enjoying the challenge of working for a progressive union and draws on his experience of state sector unions relying on hard work, good planning and serious commitment to the issues and interests of working people.

Janice has been an Organiser with NUPE since 1998. Just prior to her employment with NUPE she had returned to university as an adult student where she completed a BA in Social Policy with Industrial Relations a major component of the degree. Janice has had a variety of work experience including restaurant management, voluntary work overseas, and a number of years in the public sector including 6 years with the department of Internal Affairs.

During her time at Internal Affairs Janice was a delegate and was involved in national negotiations. This experience really opened her eyes to the injustices that occur even within the public sector. Janice has always been passionate about justice and what is fair – she hates seeing exploitation and dishonesty.

Janice really enjoys working for NUPE. She believes it is a union with integrity, where those values important to herself particularly justice and fairness are fundamental to the foundations of the union.

Les joined NUPE in December 2007. Les comes from an engineering background and is also a Registered Ambulance Officer but has been involved with the Trade Union Movement for most of his working life. He has held various union positions including Union Secretary on the Clyde Power Project (New Zealand Workers Union) and President of the Seafield Sub-Branch of the Canterbury Meatworkers Union.

He has worked as a fulltime official under the old Award System, the Employment Contracts Act and now looks forward to working with the Employment Relations Act.

Les has a particular interest in conflict resolution and enjoys assisting members to achieve resolution with their collective and individual workplace issues. He also believes in and supports equality for Women, a strength of which he is proud.

Les is very concerned with the issues of Youth employment and low paid workers and looks forward to contributing through his employment with NUPE.

Nadine was appointed as Secretary of the Union in December 2002 and has worked as an organiser for NUPE since 2000. Nadine was on parental leave during 2007 and 2009 following the birth of her two children and currently works part time as an Senior organizer.

She has a particular interest in conflict and dysfunction in the employment relationship and the industrial and political frameworks that contribute to inequity of wages and conditions.

Prior to her employment with NUPE Nadine obtained a Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Otago. She then worked for two years in the Clinical Training Agency. Her role evolved from workforce programme analyst to contract management to workforce policy advice. For several years Nadine also delivered a seminar on Survey and Questionnaire design at the former Christchurch College of Education for the Diploma in Adult Learning.

Andrew first began with NUPE in 1998, helping out when the Secretary of the time was absent due to illness. During his last year of university Andrew worked one day a week at NUPE organising and doing para-legal work. Andrew was admitted as a lawyer in 1999 and from then on has provided advice and counsel, as appropriate, on individual and membership issues.

He has pursued cases for members and NUPE to the Employment Tribunal, Employment Court, Employment Relations Authority and the Court of Appeal.

While not engaged by NUPE, Andrew handles other cases for various trade unions as well as other employees. He also has a growing criminal/traffic law practice and is Co-leader of the Alliance Party.