4 June 2013

Employment law changes disappointing in the extreme

The Public Service Association says New Zealand workers deserve better than the government’s proposed changes to employment law which are set to have their first reading in parliament.

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill introduces measures that attack workers’ rights and will make it harder to get a fair deal through collective bargaining.

As the country’s largest union, the PSA negotiates hundreds of collective agreements across the public and state sectors.

An earlier cabinet paper on the legislation suggests that it could be used by the government to bring down wages and influence negotiations as part of its drive to reduce public sector spending.

“This legislation represents a huge step backwards in New Zealand’s industrial relations environment. It will allow employers to walk away from collective bargaining and mean that they can force workers to agree to lesser terms and conditions,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“It runs completely counter to the International Labour Organisation which says sound collective bargaining practices allow both sides to negotiate fair employment relationships, promotes better wages and prevent costly labour disputes.”

“Seeing the legislation move through parliament is disappointing in the extreme,” he says.

The PSA will be campaigning against the changes and will be making a full submission on the legislation when it goes before select committee.

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