Unions acknowledge Margaret Wilson’s role in modernising employment law

“Margaret Wilson will be remembered by unions for her work as former Minister of Labour in rebuilding the modern employment law framework we now operate in,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today, following her annoucement that she will retire from Parliament at the next election.

“She worked hard in driving through the scrapping of the Employment Contracts Act after the desolate years of the 1990s which saw many workers suffer major cuts in conditions of work, exacerbating the gap between rich and poor in New Zealand.”

“Margaret Wilson introduced a new era in industrial law with the Employment Relations Act, with a focus on promotion of collective bargaining, worker rights and good faith relationships.”

“She was steadfast during periods of sustained attacks from elements in the business sector.  Her work with the Employment Relations Act has left a good base on which to build and improve, and unions and workers sincerely thank her for this,” Helen Kelly said.