Nine To Noon for Tuesday 26 April 2022

 

 

09:05 Fair Pay Agreements: How will they work?

How well prepared are employers for the the biggest change to workplace law in decades expected later this year? The Fair Pay Agreements bill brings together employers and unions within a sector to bargain for minimum terms and conditions for all employees in that industry or occupation. Workers will be represented by unions, and employers by an employer association, these will need to be established.  The proposed law has support from workers groups welcoming the provision of minimum fair pay standards for some of the lowest paid New Zealanders but BusinessNZ says Fair Pay Agreements are "fundamentally flawed" and the legislation breaches international obligations for voluntary bargaining. It's taking the case to the International Labour Organisation. Kathryn speaks to Kirk Hope, the Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, as well as Megan Vant, a senior associate at Dundas Street Employment Lawyers.

09:30 Where digital tools for stroke prevention fail to make the grade

As more people turn to apps on their phone to help monitor their health, a new study out of AUT raises concerns about ones being used for stroke prevention. In a first-of-its kind review of the digital technologies currently available for stroke prevention - of which there 2369 - just 20 met basic criteria, were scientifically sound and had evidence-based content. The review, published in the scientific journal Stroke, was led by Valery Feigin, Professor of Epidemiology and Neurology at AUT. Health-related apps are booming, particularly in the pandemic and the market was estimated at US $38b dollars last year. Professor Feigin joins Kathryn to talk about why he believes tech giants should request evidence of scientific soundness of health apps from developers before release.

09:45 US: Diplomats back to Kyiv, revitalisation of the labour movement

US correspondent Kelsey Snell joins Kathryn to talk about the return of diplomats to Kyiv, with President Biden expected to announce a new ambassador to Ukraine. It comes as the Secretaries of Defence and State are in Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky. She'll also talk about the moves by workers at Amazon and Starbucks to unionise  - part of a revitalisation of the union movement by young, Black and Latino employees. It's not without push back from the big corporations, with Starbucks facing a lawsuit accusing it of firing workers who tried to unionise.

Kelsey Snell is a congressional correspondent for NPR, based in Washington DC.

10:05 An insight into sounds from the deep

Auckland Marine scientist Craig Radford is keeping his ear to the ocean and recording what he hears. Professor Radford is one of nine international scientists capturing underwater noises to contribute to the Global Library of Underwater Biological Sounds. The sounds assist in identifying  how marine life communicates with each other - and in this part of the world it will also help to get a picture of the biodiversity challenges marine life in New Zealand faces

10:35 Book review: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel

Louise O'Brien reviews Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel, published by Picador, Macmillan   

10:45 The Reading

Episode nine of 'Let me Sing you Gentle Songs' by Linda Olsson.

11:05 Politics: Inflation fixes, Luxon's leadership, Ardern's Asia trip

 

Political commentators Shane Te Pou and Ben Thomas join Kathryn to talk about the inflation/cost of living debate and possible fixes, how Christopher Luxon's leadership of the National party is going so far, the controversy over advice about continuing MIQ and the Prime Minister's trip to Asia.

Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. He is a Director and HR Manager for IT Company Mega.

11:30 Business: New plan on climate change adaption, King Salmon's capital raise

Business correspondent Pattrick Smellie joins Kathryn to talk about a public consultation document due for release soon by the government into how the country will adapt to climate change. It's likely to broach the tricky subject of what to do about coastal property, which may in future become uninsurable. And warming coastal waters may have an impact King Salmon's capital raise, along with resource consent to farm in the open ocean.

Pattrick Smellie is the editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported on the New Zealand economy and business since 1983.

11:45 Media: Musk moves on Twitter, TVNZ-RNZ board announced

Media commentator Andrew Holden looks at what Twitter's decision to accept Elon Musk's US$44b takeover offer will mean for the platform, who's on the board for the new TVNZ-RNZ entity and the Commerce Commission clears the way for Kiwi media outlets - minus NZME - to negotiate collectively with tech giants Google and Facebook for their news.

Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne. 

 

Music played in this show

Track: In Camera 
Artist: Yumi Zouma 
Time played: 9:35am 

Track: Honey
Artist: Moby
Time played: 10:30am

Track: One Million Flowers 
Artist: Tiny Ruins
Time played: 10:40am 

Track: Nantes
Artist: Beirut 
Time played: 11:30am 

Track:  Waitī Waitā 
Artist: Maisey Rika 
Time played: 11:45am