Wellington Community set to fight National’s Anti-Worker Laws

Wednesday, 18 August 2010, 12:46 am

17 August 2010 News Release

Wellington Community set to fight National’s Anti-Worker Laws

A public meeting is set for Thursday 7:30pm at St John’s Church in the City concerning the National Party’s anti-worker laws. On Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 7am-9:30am Wellington Railway Station commuters will be leafleted about the event.

Organiser Joel Cosgrove says “This is an ongoing demonstration of anger at what this National Government is doing, these are anti-worker laws being proposed and we are organising to stop them.”

Workers from all political persuasions and occupations will be leafleting on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, while a number of speakers from the community and the unions will be speaking against the current proposals.

One of the speakers is Lisa Stoneham who was fired under the current 90-day fire-at-will law:

“It was a massive blow to my confidence and my self esteem. I had never been fired before. I asked why I had been dismissed and all I was told was ‘it is illegal for me to tell you and if you want to know why, you will have to apply in writing’”

From her experience it was clear to her that she wasn’t the only one being exploited under these laws:

“HRV Wellington alone has fired the majority of their call centre staff under this law. I know they aren’t the only employers using and abusing this.”

Lisa believes that once people see through the spin, workers will see these policies for what they are:

“So many people believe that this ‘trial period’ will not lead to employee abuse… These proposed changes are making it easier to herd people around like cows and the government not caring or doing a damn thing to help them.”

With the public meeting coming up and the CTU rally on Saturday Lisa is clear about one thing:

“We need to fight back and make a stand now otherwise this will just be the tip of the iceberg and worse changes will come.”

Leafleting at Wellington Railway Station:

Wednesday and Thursday from 7am-9:30am

Public Meeting on the Anti-Worker Laws

Thursday 7:30pm

St John’s in the City

Cnr Willis and Dixon

CTU Rally

Saturday 1pm

Civic Square

ENDS.

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