The Government’s Employment Relations Bill (ERB) is compulsory unionism in drag says Hunua MP and Opposition Manufacturing and Small Business Spokesman, Warren Kyd.

“Large numbers of New Zealand workers will be subject to collective agreements and to do so, they must belong to a Trade Union. This takes away their freedom of choice.

“The past nine years under the Employment Contracts Act have seen a warming in employer-employee relations. Employers can talk freely and negotiate directly with their employees. The ERB will force employers to front up to trade union bosses instead.

“Employers tell me they are worried about a return to confrontational industrial relations. This will hurt both employers and employees and will result in many hours of lost production and wages.

“A return to confrontation between employer and employee will create many uncertainties for our businesses. It will only encourage our businesses to depart for Australian shores.

“I hope that the Government and the Select Committee will listen to the many submissions likely to be made. Although, if the ACC changes are anything to go by, the pleas of New Zealand businesses will fall on deaf ears,” Mr Kyd said.

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