Darien
FENTON

Spokesperson for Labour Issues

5 May 2011 MEDIA STATEMENT
90 day no rights trials hit Parliament

Staff for Members of Parliament will now face the 90 day no rights trial period, unless they are employed to work for Labour, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues.

“Labour does not believe that 90 day trial period is fair, justified or needed and our caucus has unanimously resolved that no Labour MP or manager will accept a 90 day trial period as part of the employment of any new staff member,” Darien Fenton said.

Parliamentary Services is the official employer of staff who work in parliament for political parties and Members of Parliament in their out of parliament offices.

“The guidelines state that 90 day trial periods will be effectively compulsory for all employees employed as ‘core staff’ or by political parties, unless MPs or managers determine otherwise.

“Staff employed by political parties in Parliament or by MPs are already employed on three year fixed term agreements, which means that no parliamentary staff member has job security outside of the three year election term.

“If an MP leaves for whatever reason during the term of parliament, the job of their staff member is terminated at the same time.

“Parliamentary Service staff employed to work for MPs or political parties are already employed on fixed term contracts. To add a 90 day trial period to this is over the top,”

Darien Fenton said.

“Other political parties and MPs need to come forward and say what their intentions are in relation to the trial periods.

“I am sure the staff of political parties will appreciate transparency on this issue,” Darien Fenton said.

ENDS

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