Thursday 31 March 2011 -- News Release

No fairness in workplace law changes that come into force tomorrow

There is nothing fair in the new workplace law changes that will come into force tomorrow on 1 April, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).

“These law changes are an attack on basic work rights. They aren't about making working life fairer or even making business performance better. They're just a crude appeal to the nasty side of bad employers,” says EPMU national secretary Andrew Little.

“They were passed at the height of the nation’s grieving over the explosion at the Pike River mine and even though there’s been more tragedy since, the government is insisting on going ahead with these attacks on basic work rights,” says Andrew Little.

“Rising unemployment shows the existing 90 day ‘fire-at-will’ law covering companies with fewer than 20 workers have not helped employment.”

“Our members will use their collective strength in the workplace to nullify the nasty side of these laws.”

“We are approaching employers with either collective bargaining claims to stop things like the 90 day no rights law or the new rules on medical certificates being used by employers or seeking a pledge that they will not reduce themselves to the low level that the law represents.”

“These activities are being supported by a multimedia campaign including online ‘clicktivism’, radio and newspaper advertising, and online social media information pages.”

“Our message is that Kiwi workers don’t have to accept unfairness at work even if these National Party laws encourage it.”

“You can do something about it and fight back and insist on basic justice at work.”

Homepage: http://epmu.org.nz
Campaign audio: http://www.epmu.org.nz/campaign-audio/
Online petition: http://www.epmu.org.nz/petition-2/
Further information: http://www.epmu.org.nz/what-you-can-do/