Australian Industrial Laws Send Warning to NZ Workers

The Council of Trade Unions is warning workers not to take their rights at work for granted, as Australian workers take part in a second national day of action today against the Howard government's radical WorkChoices industrial relations agenda.

Australia's new WorkChoices legislation removes unfair dismissal protection for millions of Australian workers, and strips back many other terms and conditions.

"New Zealand workers are currently campaigning against a National Party plan to remove unfair dismissal rights for workers in the first 90 days on the job, perhaps the first stage in National's plan to inflict similar laws here in New Zealand," said Carol Beaumont, CTU Secretary.

"The CTU is meeting with the Australian High Commissioner today and will present him with our concerns, and with copies of the new Australian CTU television advertisements educating workers and communities in Australia about Howard's new laws."

A leaflet about the Australian law changes has gone out within unions, and is being used by leafleting teams in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today.

"Unions are informing New Zealand workers about what's happening in Australian workplaces - and what is under threat in New Zealand, through National's 90 Days Bill."

Ends.

Click here for the CTU's Australian solidarity campaign page.