CTU Media Release

11 September 2013

Māori workers stand up for Fairness at Work

CTU Vice President Maori Syd Keepa will today present to the Select Committee on behalf of Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi Māori (Māori arm of the union movement) and Māori workers around the country, against the governments proposed employment law changes.

Syd Keepa says “these changes will have a negative impact on Māori workers. This law will reduce their pay and attacks even the most basic work rights.  They are very worried about how this law will impact them and their families and communities.”

“Māori income levels are lower on average than Pākeha incomes. Collective bargaining is a means to lift incomes. Bargaining as a collective is a way to reduce the advantage employers have in setting wages and conditions. This law attacks collective bargaining by removing the duty to conclude and removing the 30 day rule where new workers are employed on the terms and conditions of a collective where one is present.  These changes will ultimately drive down wages, not just for union members, but also for those workers who benefit from the spill over of collective agreements in their industry and communities.”

“This government has a track record of removing workers’ rights. We were told that the 90 day fire at will provision and the re-introduction of youth rates would address our high unemployment, but all its done is take away basic rights of workers. Research has shown that 11 200 employers have used the 90 day provision to sack workers without even having to give the workers a reason. This is not the way to create employment, it simply makes it easier to fire people.”

“This Bill takes us back to the dark days of the Employment Contracts Act. Many Māori workers will remember all too well the impact that breaking up collectives had on their wages and their conditions. This is not the direction New Zealand should be going in. We need to move towards fairer workplace laws that encourage collective bargaining and good productive workplaces, and Māori workers are right behind the campaign against these changes.”

Syd Keepa is presenting to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee today, Wednesday 11 September at 5.00pm. The hearing is taking place in the Paataka room, Novotel Auckland, Auckland Airport, Ray Emery Drive, Auckland.

ENDS

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