Union Campaigns Planned on 90 days Bill

The Council of Trade Unions says workers will be campaigning hard to oppose the National Party?s probationary employment bill, saying it is unnecessary and unfair.

"New Zealanders need to understand that the National Party plan will affect all workers," said Carol Beaumont, CTU Secretary. "Teachers, care givers, bank tellers, surgeons, cleaners, factory workers - every worker will have no rights of appeal against unfair dismissal in their first 90 days if the bill passes."

"Hundreds of thousands of new workers start jobs every year," said Carol Beaumont. "Most workers have about 6 jobs in a lifetime, so 6 times in a lifetime the average worker would be denied these basic employment rights."

"We just need to look across the Tasman to see what effect punitive employment laws have. Within hours of new employment laws coming into effect in Australia last month, giving increased powers to dismiss workers unfairly, workers were being sacked for no reason," said Carol Beaumont.

The Council of Trade Unions will be making a detailed submission on the bill, and will be organising workers to assess the bill for themselves and make their views known to the select committee, and to participate in the EPMU organised rally on July 20.