Wayne Mapp MP
National Party Industrial Relations Spokesman

19 July 2006

90-days: Unions should get a grip

National Party Industrial Relations spokesman Wayne Mapp says the unions should get a grip and realise they have nothing to fear from his Member’s Bill to introduce a 90-day probationary period for new workers.

“The unions have poured more than $100,000 into a deliberate misinformation campaign that totally distorts the issues around the bill. For example, the CTU has said the bill will lead to 89-day rolling contracts, which is absolute nonsense.

“I’m sure most union members would rather their union fees were spent serving workers than on this kind of illogical hysteria.

“Add to this the cost of a two hour paid stopwork meeting at Parliament tomorrow and the cost is enormous – employers should not be paying for a political rally.

"My bill will allow people who have not had previous work experience to find their first job, and make it easier for others to re-enter the workforce.

"It will preserve employees' rights on pay claims, holiday pay and sick leave - and make allowance for claims of serious discrimination, such as sexual harassment.

"And it will allow employers to take a chance with new employees without facing the risk of protracted personal grievance procedures. People at the margins of the labour market will get a look-in under this legislation.

"New Zealand is the only OECD country that does not have a probation period for new employees. Why do the unions fear something that is normal practice throughout the developed world?”

ENDS

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