Wayne Mapp
National Party Industrial Relations Spokesman
18 August 2005
Strikes skyrocketing under Labour
National’s Industrial Relations spokesman, Wayne Mapp, says massive increases in strikes and lockouts show the real
folly of Labour’s employment relations policy.
Dr Mapp is commenting on statistics which show the number of strikes over the past four months have increased four-fold
compared with the same period last year.
“This is a direct result of Labour’s irresponsible amendments to the Employment Relations Act in 2004.
“Labour gave unions far too much power to negotiate multi-employer collective agreements and now all New Zealanders are
paying for it.
“Though Labour may be happy that they’ve ensured unions will remain their loyal mouthpiece – recently funding massive
advertising campaigns – the rest of the country is suffering with more inconvenience and disruption.
“It begs the question: what lengths will Labour go to, to strengthen the union vote? Compulsory negotiations for
multi-employer agreements? Work balance legislation? Compulsory pay equity? Even more restrictive OSH legislation?
“Only National will restore balance into workplace relationships so that New Zealanders won’t be at the mercy of
strikes, week in and week out, “ says Dr Mapp.
ENDS