Employment law changes unfair and unnecessary 16.8.10

The CTU says that changes to the Employment Relations Act and Holidays Act introduced to Parliament today are unfair and unnecessary.

Helen Kelly, CTU President, says: “This legislation is all about taking away rights from New Zealand wage and salary earners. For instance, it removes the automatic right of appeal against unfair dismissal in the first 90 days and weakens appeal procedures and remedies right throughout a worker’s employment.”

“How can Kate Wilkinson call this employment law change ‘fair’ when it specifically legislates for unfair dismissal with no right of appeal?”

Helen Kelly said that other issues include requiring a doctor’s certificate without reasonable grounds for absences of one day for sick or domestic leave, and restrictions on access to union advice.

“The CTU has launched a Fairness at Work Campaign which is developing momentum. We have released two stories so far from workers unfairly dismissed from small enterprises and we are holding rallies this weekend in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.”

For further information contact:

Helen Kelly, President, CTU
04 802 3812 / 021 776 741