Media release
4 May 2000
Employers: legislation should not proceed
The NZ Employers' Federation will present its submission on the Employment Relations Bill to the select committee at
3.15 pm today.
The submission, on behalf of 12,500 employers who are members of the Federation's four regional employer organisations
and 63,500 employers affiliated through the Federation's advisory council, says the legislation should not proceed.
NZ Employers' Federation chief executive Anne Knowles says tens of thousands of employers want to retain the economic
benefits that have been gained under the Employment Contracts Act.
The Federation's submission points to increased jobs, wages and productivity since the introduction of the Employment
Contracts Act, and says the proposed law change will mean fewer jobs.
The submission argues against monopoly rights being given to unions and says if the Bill is passed, it should allow any
group of employees to negotiate a collective agreement without having to belong to a registered union. It says the
legislation should also have a cut-off point, being applicable only to those earning up to double the average annual
wage.
Contact Anne Knowles ph 04 4994111 or 021 425868 For more information contact Kathryn Asare 04 4994111 or 021 555744
Visit our website www.nzef.org.nz for news, views and events