The introduction by the Government tomorrow of union-dominated labour legislation is a dismal leap backwards into last century’s failed labour laws, ACT party leader, Richard Prebble, says.

“It’s ideology gone mad, not at all supported by the facts,” said Richard Prebble.

“All of the evidence shows that the Employment Contracts Act has been one been of New Zealand’s major advances. During the time of the ECA, strikes have fallen, jobs have been created and wages have risen.

“All this is to be lost purely so the Labour Party can payback their mates in the union movement who funded their election campaign.

“The plans already leaked from the Government show the Labour-Alliance faction intends taking New Zealand back on a downward path to union domination – and a return to the days of regular strikes, falling productivity, unemployment and lower wages.

“Labour-Alliance should be warned now of the reaction from New Zealand businesses. If members of the Government thought they had it tough with the 1,000 submissions mostly opposing changes to ACC, they should be giving their staff new letter-openers now. With their changes to the labour laws, they will be swamped,” Richard Prebble said.

“This will be a defining issue of this Government. If Labour-Alliance fails to listen to New Zealanders’ opposition to the changes, it will be a major issue of the next election.

“Together with business, ACT is leading the charge against the Labour-Alliance moves. We will fight every step of the way to stop the Government taking us back to the dismal days of union power dominating New Zealand’s workers and businesses,” Richard Prebble said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media