October 30, 2008

Media Release

EPMU survey shows clear political divide on work rights

Results from the EPMU Work Rights Survey show a clear division between the political parties that support Kiwi workers and those that want to take their rights away, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

The survey asked the eight main parties to state their support for 46 work rights that were compiled in consultation with EPMU members and endorsed by 16,500 union members during the union's 25 Wage Drive Rallies in August.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the results show huge support for work rights from most parties.

"Our survey shows wide-spread support for work rights across most parties but it is concerning to see National has not only failed to support increasing work rights but has refused to support some of the basic rights Kiwi workers currently hold.

"We carried this survey out a month ago and it is interesting to see that since then the political blocs that have emerged are generally split along the same lines as parties' support for work rights.

"The rights we surveyed are the rights our members have told us they need to ensure they can continue to win fair pay rises and maintain decent conditions. The results clearly show who supports our members and other Kiwi workers and who doesn't.

"At a time of economic uncertainty workers need to know they have the protection and security of strong work rights and we hope that our members and other Kiwi workers go into the polling booth with those rights in mind."

Every political party but ACT* responded to the Work Rights survey and copies of the survey and their responses are available at http://workrights.org.nz/survey-2008/

The results of the survey are as follows:

Labour Party: 100%

Maori Party: 100%

Green Party: 99%

Progressive Party: 99%

NZ First: 84%

United Future: 64%

National Party: 32.5%

ACT Party: 3%

ENDS

*ACT's results were compiled based on their public statements and voting record.

© Scoop Media