July 22 2002

Alliance will respond to findings of NZCTU report

Alliance leader Laila Harré says a Council if Trade Unions (CTU) report released today confirms that New Zealand families are under increasing pressure to work longer hours to make ends meet.

“It’s also further evidence of the need for an Alliance presence in Parliament,” she said.

Entitled ‘Thirty Families’; the report tells the human tale of the impact overwork has on the other side of lives.

Laila Harré said the fact that many people said they were working longer for no extra payment and claimed there is a lack of recognition of the impact this has on family life is quite shocking.

“It should remind all New Zealanders why workers need more stress-free time to relax and enjoy their families.

“The Alliance has a whole raft of well-developed policies to achieve this end, starting with four weeks annual leave and a commission on working hours.”

These all support the aims of the ‘Get a Life’ campaign, which advocates change via both legislation and collective bargaining, Laila Harré said.

“As someone experienced in advocating such change at a cabinet level I know how important it is that there’s a strong public voice behind a better work/family balance in workers’ lives.

“Just as we needed a clear advocate on the inside for paid parental leave and a strong Employment Relations Bill, we need someone to take the findings of this report to Parliament. I see this as the natural role of the Alliance.”

For a copy of ‘Striking a Balance’, the Alliance’s work/family policy check out www.alliance.org.nz

Ends

© Scoop Media