23 August 2006

*‘Thank you Maori Party’ from finance workers *

Finsec, the union representing workers in the banking and finance sector is today thanking the Maori Party for its decision to oppose the 90 Day Probationary Employment Period Bill. The Maori Party’s announcement now means the Bill is unlikely to continue through Parliament.

“As well as denying workers their employment rights for the first three months in any job, the Bill would also have been bad for customer service in the finance sector if it had become law” said Finsec’s Campaigns Director, Andrew Campbell.

“The Bill creates a disincentive for banks to adequately train staff when they first start in the job because they might be waiting to see how they turn out. The first 90 days is the most important time to be developing new staff,” said Campbell.

“Customers want new workers to be well supported and to learn the skills and processes of their job as quickly as possible. That means support, training and development.

“We can’t support a law that encourages employers to sack workers rather help them to get the skills and training they need to do the job better,” said Campbell.

“The Maori Party’s decision today is a good one for finance workers and customers.”

ENDS

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