Meat Industry Against Labour's 'Policies Of The Past'

Labour's policies to turn back the clock on ACC reforms and repeal the
Employment Contracts Act are again under fire from industry leaders.

The Chairman of the Meat Industry Association Sir David Beattie this week urged
Labour 'not to set back the clock' at the Association's annual meeting.

ACT Agriculture Spokesman Owen Jennings said the Meat Industry's fears about
the damaging effect of Labour's 'policies of the past' are being repeated right
throughout the rural sector.

"The Meat Industry is estimating that Labour's billion dollar pledge to wind
back the ACC reforms and impose the Union drafted Work Place relations Bill
would cost the industry millions and see a return to the dark days of strikes
and pickets at the country's meat works.

"Sir David said the MIA's joint project with ACC to reduce long term Accident
Compensation claims in the meat industry, has brought a saving of more than $5
million a year. Labour would strip those savings off the industry.

"Employers and small businesses in the rural sector are struggling as it is
under National's high taxes, red tape, compliance costs and out of control
employment laws. It's hard to believe Labour and the Alliance are trying to
sell a policy that will be much, much worse. Rural industries are extremely
worried.

"There is no room for promoting unions or union collectivity in a modern
economy. Labour's surrender to the Council of Trade Union's Workplace
Relations Bill is the first step. Any influence the militant pro-Alliance
Trade Union Federation has on the final outcome of a Labour-Alliance industrial
relations package should send alarm bells ringing through every employer and
employee in the country," said Owen Jennings.

ENDS

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