13 June 2013

Strike-breaking legislation should be stopped in its tracks
Strike-breaking legislation being introduced into parliament shows contempt for workers and should be stopped in its tracks, according to the Public Service Association.

National MP Jami-Lee Ross’ Employment Relations (Continuity of Labour) Bill has been drawn from the ballot. It will allow casual workers, contractors or volunteers to be employed during a strike or lockout.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says it’s a distasteful piece of employment legislation.

“It will encourage employers to take a more aggressive approach towards unions and collective bargaining.”

“Workers who take strike action never do so lightly. This will only serve to escalate workplace tensions and create a more divisive industrial relations environment.”

It also has potentially dangerous implications for public services.

“Bringing in casual or inexperienced workers to run services in the event of industrial action could easily undermine the integrity of those services,” Mr Wagstaff says.

The bill comes on top of Employment Relations Amendment Bill which among other things attacks workers’ rights to collectively bargain in an attempt to drive down wages and conditions.

“This is yet another piece of unfair employment legislation which takes New Zealand’s industrial framework back decades and strengthens the hands of employers.”

ENDS

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