Employment law changes will widen inequality
The Public Service Association says the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, set to pass its second reading in
Parliament this evening, will further income widen inequality in New Zealand.
“This Bill harms workers’ ability to bargain together for better wages and conditions,” said Richard Wagstaff, PSA
National Secretary.
“Changing the rules to allow employers to walk away from collective bargaining only strengthens the hand of employers at
the negotiation table.
"We know that strong collective bargaining results in higher wages and better conditions, but these changes to
employment law will make achieving that even harder.
“Making collective bargaining harder will drive most worker's wages down, while those at the top continue to increase.
"Almost 8000 of our members submitted to the Select Committee hearing this bill, and hundreds asked to be heard in
person.
“The PSA and our members are clear – if this Bill becomes law, New Zealand workers will be worse off,” said Richard
Wagstaff.
ENDS