Machines which fell trees under remote control by operators standing at safe distances are being hailed as important new tools and a world first for reducing deaths and injuries in forests.

The Labour and Green party coffers will receive a $120,000 boost for the election from unions that are also hoping to mobilise thousands of members to push for a change of Government.

A Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment report this month says amendments to the Employment Relations Act and the Holidays Act that the Govt made in 2011 have achieved some of their policy objectives in the short term.

A union body leading prosecutions over the deaths of forestry workers has applauded a coroner for tackling the problem, which it described as unsustainable and intolerable.

The Council of Trade Unions tonight said a claim by cabinet minister Steven Joyce that it walked away from Government briefings on the Trans Pacific Partnership were untrue.

Bosses are being urged to look at why workers are staying home sick, as a new report puts the cost of employee absences at $1.26b a year.

Labour leader David Cunliffe intervened in a meeting of affiliated unions at the party conference in Wigram to broker a compromise resolution on the Trans Pacific Partnership.

David Cunliffe's popularity began to wane almost as soon as the media spotlight ceased illuminating the contest over the Labour Party's parliamentary leadership, writes Dr Damien Rogers.

The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) is calling for an appeal to be launched after the Waitakere District Court ruled that the death of a young security guard is not the responsibility of his employer.

A political strategist who has trained National Party MPs says the Ports of Auckland colluded with right wing bloggers to undermine industrial action against the Ports of Auckland.

John Key says Hollywood finds New Zealand more attractive than other countries because it does not have a strong union movement.