CTU MEDIA RELEASE
01 May 2007

Nats’ Attempt To Drag Cuts To Workers Rights Into Monetary Debate a Cheap Shot

“National’s call for flexible labour law will send shudders down the spines of workers who remember National Party flexibility ‘1990s style’ – manifested in cuts to their wages, conditions and security of work,” CTU president Ross Wilson said.

“National should stop trying to use the current debate over monetary policy as a sideways entry to its agenda of returning the country to these bitter days.”

“It is particularly disappointing to see National bringing labour laws into the debate after they met with the CTU and said that they were not interested in making industrial relations a political football again.”

“It is a shame then that National cannot resist the opportunity to use the current discussions on monetary policy and the housing market to have a go at the job security of ordinary workers.”

"New Zealand’s future economic and social development is dependant on rising wages, a stable industrial relations framework and recognition of the essential role of collective bargaining, and workers will be disappointed to hear of National’s plans to re-litigate 1990s style ‘flexibility’,” Ross Wilson said.

ENDS