Union Leader's Comments Over The Top

Union Leader's Comments Over The Top

Business is what makes New Zealand work, and attacking many employers as 'not fair minded' goes way too far, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says.

"The Council of Trade Union General Secretary Helen Kelly has gone over the top in bad mouthing employers," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"The vast majority of employers are fair and decent people as are their employees," he said.

"Its simply not true that the CTU and other unions are under attack as Ms Kelly claims.

"The changes being proposed by the government conform to international norms and are comparatively mild.

"We say employers should have the right to question a person who consistently takes sick leave on Mondays or pay for them to visit a doctor.

"Since employers are responsible for what happens in the workplace we say it is important that union representatives seek permission when they enter a workplace.

"The anti-employer attitude expressed by Ms Kelly belongs to the early part of the last century and should stay there.

"The overwhelming majority of businesses know their success depends hugely on developing and maintaining excellent working relations between managers and employees.

"And we all know we need far more business success to deliver the jobs and the taxes that will advance our standard of living, and health, education and welfare."

ENDS

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