CTU MEDIA RELEASE
15 June 2006
Easter Trading Debate Should Factor In the 90 Days No Rights Bill, says CTU
Members of Parliament need to factor in National’s 90 Days No Rights Bill as they debate shop trading at Easter, the
Council of Trade Unions said today.
“A number of MPs spoke last night in Parliament about the protections for workers that Steve Chadwick’s Bill allowing
trading on Easter Sunday provides, and that employees will have the choice not to work on this significant day,” said
Carol Beaumont, CTU Secretary.
“The CTU recognises that if National MP Wayne Mapp’s Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill
passes, it would expose many workers to unfair pressure to work over the Easter break. We should be realistic about the
demands workers will face to work over public holidays, when under a 90 day period without rights of appeal against
unfair dismissal,” said Carol Beaumont.
“New Zealand workers and their families stand to lose a great deal if National’s Bill passes,” said Carol Beaumont. “Not
only would it see them face uncertainty at work and exposure to dismissal for no reason, it would compromise their
ability to spend time with their family on Easter Sunday, or more generally.”
“Last night’s debate raised general questions for us around time off at holidays under a 90 Days No Rights Bill,” said
Carol Beaumont. “Although National argues that the statutory rights around holidays will be unaffected by their Bill,
when employers can sack workers without having to give any reason, this argument is a hollow one.”
ENDS