6 May 2015

Spotless must now end all zero-hours contracts

New Zealand’s largest contractor of food, cleaning and hospital staff, Spotless, must now take action to end all zero-hour contracts, Opposition leader Andrew Little says.

“Yesterday Labour asked questions of Parliamentary Service and the Speaker after we revealed nine parliamentary workers contracted by Spotless were on zero-hours contracts.

“Following our questions the company, which employs 33,000 workers across Australia and New Zealand, agreed to end the practise in parliament, ensuring their employment agreements include guaranteed hours. This was the right and fair thing to do.

“Spotless must now take action to protect all of its workers in the same way. Zero-hours contracts are not the way Kiwis want to do business. They are unnecessary and unfair and they should be gone.

“Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse has said for months that he will look to outlaw them but employers such as fast food operators Restaurant Brands, McDonalds and Burger King have already eliminated them after a public outcry. They should never have been in operation at Parliament and they shouldn’t be used for cleaners, food and hospital workers around the country. The Government has been far too slow to act,” Mr Little says.

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