Rest break legislation important for workers’ health and safety

The CTU expressed disappointment and concern today at the Government’s plans to amend the recently passed rest and meal break legislation.

“Many workers have benefitted from this law which National voted for at the time because of the unarguable need for it,” said CTU President Helen Kelly. “To now exclude sole charge workers, for example, would see many people returning to the very unsatisfactory situation of working long hours without any break. While we understand the issues around regional airports, we do believe the parties could work this matter out in a sensible way within the new law and should be supported to do so rather than deny large groups of workers what many considered was already a standard work right.”

“Workers are becoming increasingly concerned at the pattern of changes to their interests at work – the 90 day law, cuts to ACC, moves to sell the fourth week annual leave, and now this – putting rest and meal breaks at risk.”

“We have not seen the proposed changes in detail but the Government’s press release looks ominous. To deny groups like pharmacies, schools, meat works and sole attendant operations such as petrol stations the right to rest or meal breaks looks like a gutting of the new and very welcomed rest break provisions.”